Preventing horrendous crimes.

On December 14, a 20-year old gunman shot his mother (the parent he lived with) and then gunned down the principal, five teachers, and twenty children (ages 5-10) at a local Connecticut elementary school (Associated Press, December 14, 2012; Good Morning America, December 14, 2012). Subsequent reports have searched for a reason for this tragedy.

As expressions of sorrow pour in from around the globe, the American President and lawmakers are seeking legislation to make sure events like this never happen again. However, will new laws, arming teachers, placing metal detectors in schools, outlawing guns, increased police protection and mental health treatments really solve these seemingly intractable problems? 

Regrettably today, our secular and materialistic societies want to ignore the vital spiritual dimension needed to solve social problems. Our self-absorbed, hedonistic, morally relative, post-modern world cannot fix these horrendous problems with secular bandages.

Long ago, God revealed that obedience to His spiritual laws would bring blessings, but disregarding those laws would bring serious consequences (Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28).  God also admonished parents to teach His laws to their children (Deuteronomy 6:7).  However, God also warned, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6). 

One fundamental truth that modern societies have forgotten is that God says “He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence” (Malachi 2:16). Today, we want to ignore the fact that fornication and adultery are rampant in our societies and the resulting family disruption caused by divorce generates deep feelings of anger, hurt and abandonment.  Until we are willing to acknowledge the connection between the misguided and socially acceptable norms that exist in our secular societies and the consequences we are reaping, we will not solve the problems we face. 

This is why Jesus Christ is going to return to this earth to establish the Kingdom of God that will bring peace by showing the world the benefits of living by the laws of God (Isaiah 11:9). For more information about how society will change when its spiritual needs are finally met, please read our free and encouraging booklet, The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?