I wish violence did not exist, but it does. People think that if they do one little thing, then the violence will go away. However, that is just not true. As long as Satan is in charge and evil exists in this world, then violence will always exist.
There is a big movement to ban certain types of guns in this country. Not sure why, but I can speculate that they scare people. A good number of these guns are involved in mass shootings, but deaths due to mass shootings make up a very small percentage of the overall gun deaths. Currently, there are roughly 10,000 gun deaths each year in America and 65-70% of those are suicides. The remaining gun deaths are due to self-defense, police, and then other homicides. Mass shootings make up roughly 0.5-1.5% of the remaining gun deaths
What people forget is that there are many weapons that can be used to injure or even kill. These are edged weapons, blunt weapons, fists, cars, drugs, alcohol, bombs, poison, etc. Right now, we just want to focus on one tiny little aspect of the overall violence/deaths in this country and it just does not make any sense.
The only reason to do this is to disarm the citizens of this great nation so that the citizens cannot resist a tyrannical government. These gun control advocates are smart, they play on peoples fears and the get the media to sensationalize the weapons being used.
Why only focus on violence where an AR-15 or a similar weapon is being used? It sells. As long as Americans continue to demonstrate fear over this weapon, it will continue. Back in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s it was all about the AK-47. This gun is more popular worldwide and even in America for its simplicity in construction and cleaning. but now you hardly ever see this gun mentioned in the media.
I do not believe that we can ever get rid of violence simply because Satan is still the Prince of the Power of the Air.
Matthew 5:43-48 New International Version (NIV)
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Mark 12:30-31 New International Version (NIV)
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
But I am also reminded of:
Ephesians 6:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
We who claim to be Christians need to focus on loving those we encounter everyday. It will not be easy, but it is what needs to be done. I know it is not easy because I fail at this everyday or pretty close to it. It is not that I really hate people, but I hate their actions, I hate their ignorance, I hate their stupidity, I have their hypocrisy, I hate their immorality, I hate their being manipulated, I hate their lack of paying attention to what is around them, but I cannot control them. So I have a choice, continue to hate them or do as God has instructed. I am choosing to follow Gods word, but it will be slow going. I pray that you do the same.