Dear Ones,
My heart is heavy as I begin writing this. America is reeling in the aftermath of a horrific school shooting in which 20 children and 6 adults were shot down in cold blood by a young man whose mind and heart had been filled with the murderous lies of the enemy. In the days following, as society debates such questions as “How could this happen?” and “What can we do to be sure it never happens again?” I would pose the following wisdom from God for humanity’s consideration – don’t dwell on the ‘fruit’ because until we find the ‘root’ and deal with that, lasting change isn’t within our grasp. As long as the root remains, it’ll do what roots do… it’ll bear fruit.
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say (or do) anything good?” (Matthew 12:33-34a)
Obviously, most of society here in America, and around the world, has an underlying belief that people are basically good and that when such things happen, it’s not ‘normal.’ What they fail to recognize is that it is normal for fallen, headless humans to think and choose and act in ways that expose the root of Sin. Look at God’s warning from 2 Timothy 3:1-5a:
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
The only power we will ever have to overcome evil with God’s perfect goodness is when we have chosen to repent, to turn from our own wicked ways, and to return to our Head, Yeshua, the Son of God. Only when He has His rightful place on the throne of our individual hearts, can we hope to see the collective of society function in selfless love for one another. For without Him, such a lifestyle is impossible. Fallen flesh simply cannot do it.
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart, his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:43-45)
And as long as we humans cling to the belief that we’re ‘good,’ we don’t understand our need for salvation, redemption and restoration to our original ‘image and likeness’ purpose for existence. God tells us in Obadiah 3 “The pride of your heart has deceived you…” and in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can understand it?”
I’m reminded of Ray Comfort’s message, “Hell’s Best Kept Secret,” where he used the analogy of being on an airplane that’s certain to crash and people who refuse to believe it and put on their parachutes to bail out before it’s too late. Or a similar thought… Humanity is on the sinking Titanic of sin and no amount of bailing water can save it. However – and this is a huge ‘however’ – we have a Savior, Another to whom we can turn. He is the only Perfect One who will never leave or forsake us. He is the only One who not only has the answer, but IS the Answer.
God’s heart breaks for the recent loss of life in that school in Connecticut. And it breaks for every life lost, and every hopeless heart, and every wounded human who has not yet seen His everlasting love and outstretched arms. My prayer is that as we disciples continue to live up to our calling in Philippians 2: 14-16a, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…”
In addition to the encouragements above, I can also offer a redemptive testimony in light of that devastating event. Two significant results took place in my own heart and life. I was able to share about the Reality of God with several coworkers who felt like there was no real hope. And my own understanding about the world and my fellow disciples was greatly expanded. You see, my life has been largely centered in my safe middle class American home and community. I’ve only left the USA twice – once on a short term mission trip to Mexico and once to Israel. But as I’ve met many of you beloved fellow disciples through our email and website connections, I’ve come to see the reality of how much so many of you precious brothers and sisters have had to endure and press through in order to stand firm in your faith. And I have a new sense of urgency to hold you up in prayer and to thank Father for His everlasting love and faithfulness to you, regardless of what’s happened in your circumstances. His grace is truly amazing!
So as we continue to allow the Living Lord of Glory to reign in our hearts, minds, lives and choices, may we be like lighthouses, drawing our fellow inhabitants of earth to the promised and sure salvation purchased by the Blood of the Lamb who is forever praised.
In His love, and for His glory,
Your sister, Nancy