The Conflict of Hate and Violence in America

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You have had a hard day at work, and when you come in, sit down to relax a few minutes before dinner, you turn on the TV and the last thing you want to see on the news is that some shooting has taken place, a murder due to someone not liking the other person or some other act of violence. The local or national news is for the most part is not always good. And as we sit there in our recliner we begin to wonder why does such things happen in America. We begin to ask ourselves why is it that the greatest and most prosperous nation in the world can’t get along with one another and resolve the issue of conflict and violence.

Is there any hope for our nation that is seeing an outrage of violence and more mass killings than any other time in the history of the United States? We have our problems here in America, but we are still the greatest country in the world in which to live. Then why is it so hard to solve the issue of hate and violence? Think how much greater the country would be if it all stopped and rather than hating each other we started to love each other again.

There is an unrealistic faith in the power of prosperity going around rather than in the ultimate power and benevolence of God. At one point in time (not so many years ago) The Great American Dream became America’s God. We came into great wealth, became more educated, we came into the technology of computers and cell phones, no more having to put a dime in the slot to make a call. We can call the other side of the world in a matter of seconds and talk to whoever and not have to wait for the assistance of an operator at the phone company. The churches that now have 50 in attendance on Sunday mornings had 250. I can remember my grandmother taking me to church and if we didn’t get there early there was not an empty pew and we had to stand along the wall or sit in a folding chair in the isles. I do pray for those days to return. I pray for a great revival not only to come to the local churches but to all the churches across America and once again they will be filled with people who are hungry to hear God’s word.

You see, folks, wealth and abundance has become the measure of America’s success. Now don’t get me wrong, growth is great, the knowledge and wisdom to be able to do some of the things we do with technology and be able to grow as a nation is fantastic. But are we forgetting where that knowledge and wisdom came from. God gave it to us, and we sometimes forget that.

But as recent events over the last several years have shown us, we have been living an allusion. Our pillars of faith are crashing down around us. People are being gunned down in our streets, work places and even in churches, all because someone didn’t like someone else or something someone else did and they felt offended. We are discovering that we cannot as we once did feel safe to walk down the street of our hometowns. Our good society has been disfigured by blemishes of others and the breakdown of the family who eats dinner in front of the TV rather than gathered around the dinner table as a family. The result is a deep crisis of spirit that fuels American’s growing self - doubts cynicism with politics and the confusion about our role as a nation.

We are no longer shocked by the violence of mass shooting in cities across this nation. We have grown numb to the protest and hostile confrontations over a host of crucial social issues, from environmental concerns to abortion rights. Moral and ethical standards that we once took for granted have not only been brought into question but have been thrown overboard by thousands and instead of stability and peace, there is confusion and disappointment because we don’t like something, and most of the time the person who don’t like whatever it is they don’t like, they can’t tell you why they don’t like it.

There is only one answer for this situation we’re in, and that is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He’s waiting for us (mankind) to turn from sin and return to Him. He’s knows what going on here on earth and rest assured, He is not happy about it. Folks, God has not gone anywhere. It is us who has fallen away from Him. He is the same and in the same place as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow.

Hebrews 12: 1 & 2 says:

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and it set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Because Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of the Christian faith, we are called on as Christians to keep our eyes on Jesus. When we have faith we will lay aside our sinful burdens and run toward Christ, not away from Him. Just as Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame in order to attain the joy of rejoining the Father on His throne, so should Christians run their race with patience.

The Bible is not content to leave the nature of the peace Christ purchased for us in doubt. It outlines peace in the clearest sense. Christ made peace by the blood of His cross. He bore the sins of all, so those who know Him as Savior are no longer troubled, and this brings peace beyond all understanding.

Where does peacemaking begin? How can we become peacemakers in our broken, nervous, frightened, and dangerous world? We must first make peace with God.

So my friends, let me encourage to get back to God, spend some time alone with Him and pray. Pray that a revival, a revival like no one has ever seen before and that it will spread across this nation and we will once again run to God and not away from Him. When that happens we will once again be able to live in peace and without the violence and hate that rages out of control. God Bless.