Gun Control

Gun control is a major issue in the U. S. As I ponder the news of a mass shooting at an Indianapolis FedEx facility that left nine people dead, including the shooter, and only hours after a gunman opened fire outside of a bar in Kenosha, Wisconsin, killing three and injuring two. Later on Sunday afternoon, a shooter in Austin, Texas opened fire and killed three civilians.

Why do so many Americans have such passion for their guns? Why is gun control such a contentious issue? Why are some congressional leaders willing to block the the reform of legislation that could possibly preserve the life of innocent Americans?

How can America continue to tolerate the chronic carnage of deaths and injuries from gunfire, particularly among our children and particularly after the horror of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut nine years ago, in December 2012 in which twenty first graders and six adults lost their lives and more recently on February 14, 2018 when a gunman opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people and injuring 17 others.

Where is the national outrage? Why is there no outrage by the church when innocent lives are taken via gun violence?

Proverbs 6:16-19 says there are six things God hates, seven are an aversion to Him. Hands that shed innocent blood is the third of the seven sins that Solomon lists that God hates. Proverbs reads, “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

When is enough, enough? Sadly, this uniquely American tragedy is often viewed from a political perspective instead of a human perspective. President Biden recently called America’s woefully predictable pattern of mass shootings “a national embarrassment” and urged Congress to take action. Yet, it goes beyond a being a “national embarrassment” to being a “stench” in the nostrils of God.

Does government have a role in God’s purposes? Absolutely! God loves good and hates evil. God loves justice. The principles of fairness, equity and justice are woven throughout the Scriptures.

Governments have responsibility for governing in a manner that preserves order and promotes the common good of its citizens. In Proverbs 14:34, we read, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Only righteousness makes a nation great in the eyes of God!

goingbeyondchurch #justice #righteousness #order