Twenty years ago, the nation was horrified when two gunmen entered Columbine High school and assassinated 12 of their classmates and 1 teacher before the pair committed suicide. At that time, it was the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. Since then, hundreds have lost their lives in mass shootings in this country. 32 were killed at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, 20 elementary school students and 6 staff members at Sandy Hook, and 58 concert goers at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas. This month another 32 were killed in Dayton and El Paso, which brings the total to 672 people who have been killed in mass shooting incidents this century. Sadly, these tragedies have become so common that, while unsettling, our sense our outrage quickly dissipates. In fact, we have become so accustomed to these appalling events that we skip over any sorrow or compassion and jump immediately to our political position. As surely as night follows day, Democrats argue for "gun control," Republicans fight for “gun rights” and ultimately nothing changes. The Christian community also responds as expected. We condemn the act, point out that it is the result of the sinful condition of mankind and offer prayers and condolences for the victims and their families. And that’s where it ends.
Seven years ago, after the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting I wrote, “the problem is that we are sinners and we desire sin. There is no law that can correct it; there is no law that can contain it. There is only one cure for this condition – the Gospel.” Only Jesus can change our sinful nature. This is the only way to effectively address the rampant evil in our world.
The problem is the majority of Christians still refuse to share the Gospel. The only words we are willing to speak are words of condemnation or in defense our 2nd amendment rights. It seems that somewhere along the way we lost our passion for telling others about Jesus. If we won’t tell them about Jesus, how will they ever know? If Jesus is the only way, then how will they ever find the way if we are unwilling to show them. We are content to simply sit in our sanctuaries and watch the world spin out of control.
The truth is that this unabated violence will continue as long as Christians choose silence. Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and puts it in the cellar or under a basket…”(Lk 11:33), yet that is exactly what we have been doing. We are hiding the gospel away while our country experiences the effects of our negligence.
Jesus told His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt 28:19) and that they should “preach the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mk 15:16). These are commands, not suggestions. If we continue to remain silent then we not only condemn the world, we disobey our Lord.
As always, we should continue to pray, but we are commanded to do more. We are commanded to be His witnesses.
In His Service,
(NOTE - Many of these thoughts were shared in previous articles - after the Sandy Hook and Marjory Stoneman Douglas shootings - yet, The Song Remains the Same)
