Monday; October 17

Last week was another one of those weeks in our nation. Several people were killed in multiple shootings, including police officers who were just doing their job trying to keep us safe from each other. I know I speak for the nation when I say that we have to be better than this! Yet, calling attention to the violence isn’t going to change it and I am not all that sure that enacting new laws will change it, either. (I mean there are already plenty of laws that make it illegal to harm or kill someone!) So, what is the answer?
Our nation is struggling with what we should do to deal with the violence, but I am less convinced that the answers lie in what we can do, it is more likely found in how we think. Centuries ago, the New Testament writer observed, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:1-3). Selfishness and self-serving attitudes have been at the heart of violence from the beginning of time. The first murder was committed because of jealousy – and that may have been the same rationale for the latest assault whenever and wherever it was. Until we learn to curb our pleasures – whether it is greed, lust, anger … or whatever else it is – we are going to have to deal with people hurting one another.
Mankind has been commanded to love God by loving people. Until we get that right, we are going to keep having weeks like last week.
Let’s seek the best for others, when we do, the crime rate will fall!
Think About It!

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