Fruitvale Christian Fellowship

Violent Times

I guess this piece is somewhat of a rant, but also a comment on our society. Like most of you, I am concerned about the increase of violent crimes, especially with guns. Now I want to make it clear, I am not against law-abiding citizens owning guns with which they hunt and enjoy other recreational activities. But does the average person really need an assault rifle and equally powerful handgun?

It would appear that our pursuit of freedom and liberty is bordering on anarchy. In order for all to enjoy the fruit of freedom, there must be constraints. People have in the past, and will in the future, kill people; this is not a new development. Are we becoming more violent as a society? Against what time in history would we compare ourselves?

The question we must ask is, are we our brother’s keeper? If we continue to buy into the notion that it’s all about me and to hell with everyone else, I would propose that the slope is slippery and the prognosis not very good. When our freedoms create the monsters we now see played out in the news, it is time to rethink those freedoms. Jesus taught us to love our neighbor, and to take care of the poor, the weak, and the needy. In the words of the pop song, “what the world needs now, is love, sweet love” – and His name is Jesus.

Pastor Bryan Henry