Another one of those headlines you don’t want to see was all over the internet. A man walked into a crowded store and shot helpless shoppers, killing ten people, including the first responding Policeman. How could this have happened again? The usual list of politicians and gun control advocates were quick with their demands for more restrictions or bans on private gun ownership. Those oppressive measures have failed in our cities and in other countries, but this was their chance to gain support and votes, whether it actually solves anything or not. Does what we want matter more than the lives that came to a tragic end?
Another group was quick to comment on the story were the “racial justice” advocates. One was so quick, she condemned the “white” shooter and had to backtrack on her comments when they found out he isn’t white. A politician criticized the “different” response after it was known he is Syrian. Those attacks came even though the reason for the murderous rampage remains unknown. With the Atlanta murders fresh on their minds, people look to see if these killings fit the Asian hatred narrative. I understand there is a need for information, but there seems to be too many people with clouded judgment. In this case, the shooter was known to authorities, but the troubled young man legally purchased a gun after he passed the background check. The system protected his rights and now the system must see that both he and the victims get justice. Does his race matter, or the race of the victims? It may explain his motives, but right and wrong doesn’t change because of their race. Our responses shouldn’t either.
What concerns me more is the rush to judgment we see across our nation. This problem isn’t unique to our county, but we are supposed to be better than that. Cries for racial justice have turned into acts of race-based injustice. Those who have been mistreated want to mistreat others in revenge. Our Police as a whole are unjustly accused and are being hampered when we need them most. Politicians fan the flames for votes and the media takes radical positions to get more viewers. Anger, hatred and bitterness, will only result in more anger, hatred and bitterness. That isn’t right, and that doesn’t change even if you have been mistreated.
So what is the answer? JESUS said for us to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength… Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31 KJV). You keep bringing these verses up as the answer. How can it be that simple?
JESUS gave those two as “the first commandment of all” because there isn’t room for hate after we love GOD with our all and our neighbor as ourselves. When we love GOD we will abide in Him and He in us. When we know His nature, will and desires they become ours. Then we can leave judging, punishment, and vengeance up to Him. When we love our neighbor as ourselves, we are getting it right. We can love those who don’t love us, we are in GOD’s will, because JESUS died for those people too. “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight” and “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).
Wayne Lance