Articles
Tragedy In Newtown, CT.
nd killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’ And He said, ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground’” (Genesis 4:8-10).
On December 14, 2012 the innocent blood of 20 children and six adults cried out to God! Precious children along with servants of their community were gunned down in such senseless and horrific violence. What can the Bible teach us in the face of such a heart-wrenching tragedy?
1) God hates the hands that shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:16-17). It is an abomination to Him. Why does He hate and abhor such? “Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man” (Gen. 9:5-6). Every individual is made in the image of God. Thus every life is to be greatly valued.
2) Those who commit murder will suffer the punishment of hell. Murderers “shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). All men will reap what they sow in this life (Gal. 6:7-8).
3) Children are pure from sin and are eternally secure in death. “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven’” (Matt. 18:2-3). The grieving and heart-broken parents can take great comfort that their sweet children are at peace and rest in Paradise (Luke 16:19-31).
4) Heeding the teachings of the Bible is the answer, not gun control. “For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:9-10). Our nation has divorced itself from God and His righteousness (evolution instead of creation; abortion instead of valuing the sanctity of human life; relativism instead of objective truth, etc.). Individuals and families must return to God’s love and God’s Word to truly fix the problems and ills of society (Prov. 14:34).
We pray that the “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation” will give comfort and solace to all the grieving families at this time (2 Cor. 1:3-4). May they look to their heavenly Father who loves them for both strength and guidance (Psalm 73:24; 118:14; 119:105).
