It appears that much, if not all, of our attention is in reacting to the ‘symptom’ rather than attempting to cure the ‘disease’. Simple example: we have and live in a violent society. It appears to become more vicious and violent… daily. What is our response? To focus on one aspect – weaponry and work to eliminate guns. Granted, guns do kill people but that’s only because of the reality that it is people who are wielding the guns. Doesn’t the problem reside in the society we live in? Will eliminating gun possession, which will never be followed by those who are intent on circumventing the law, eliminate the problem?
How did our society get so violent… so quickly? Restraint was thrown off is obvious, as is the result. There are many scripture verses (57+) that speak to what happens when restraint is ignored. None of the results are good. The first part of Proverbs 29:18. AMP reads:
“Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;…”
Another way of saying this is: when there is no standard and no sense of a moral compass – violence and all sorts of negativity quickly comes to fill this void. The point is, when we submit to a loving God and abide in Him – we do have a standard to live by. And this results in (the rest of this verse):
“…But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].”
I would also add:
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4, NASB)
There are incredible ‘benefits’ that occur when we accept and act on the fact that we have a standard by which we attempt to live. As we shift our focus from one aspect of the problem – lack of restraint – to resolving the ‘disease’ then we begin to get our focus right. And yes, that is my bias.
Decades ago I believe our country began a descent. While it may seem that ‘it’ happened overnight, it didn’t. First one and then another of our principles were tossed out or updated to become meaningless. We strayed from true north and it appears that every aspect, component in our society fell into step. Me-ism and the attitude of ‘what’s in it for me’ took hold and directed society’s thinking and action.
Is there a way out? Has our nation gone so far that it is not redeemable? I think that yes – there’s a way, and no – we haven’t crossed over the line completely. Fortunately, the answer resolves both.
“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2Chronicles 7:14, NKJV)
Our frame of reference needs changing to curing the disease and not just responding to the symptom. The prognosis then changes when we do what we need to do and humbly accept the gift of what the Lord offers – forgiveness and healing. We do have the ‘medication’ available and known. It isn’t a question of whether we can do this… it’s only a question if we will. One has to ask… where is the church’s leadership in accomplishing this?
