This is the scene I awoke to this morning on our family vacation…

This is the scene that crashed into my morning louder than the sound of the waves in the distance…Now come the blogs, the tweets, the onslaught of media speculation and finger pointing. The world is in turmoil yet again – and here I sit typing – adding my voice to the shouts of millions of people – not sure anyone is actually listening.

So WHY post another commentary about the ills of our world?

As a pastor, I do believe that part of my role is to condemn the horrible acts of violence and hate that flood our world today – especially when those perpetuating such evil attempt to justify their actions through the words of Jesus Christ. I try to guard my words – especially in light of the volume of words that are carelessly flung around our social media universe everyday. But my restraint runs thin when people claim any amount of superiority over another person.

So here is my quick thought on this horrible evil invading our world…

If professing followers of Jesus Christ take any “joy” or secret “elation” in their hearts from the events in Charlottesville, Virginia over the past few days then they had better reconsider the claims of Jesus and their standing before a holy God. It is nauseating to find the use of our Savior’s words in connection with such hatred and violence.

And please do not whine to me about anyone being robbed of their history over a statue!

The real problem is a systemic problem! This is made clear in the tweet from our former president – “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or religion…People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love..” Obama.

The truth coming to light – yet again in history – is no person is born with the ability to live and love as God originally designed. No politician, human system, educational program or viral blog will save us from our love of evil. The gospel of Jesus Christ stands as the only solution to our current state of insanity and it is time we (pastors and leaders of the church) stop trying to side with winning politicians (of EITHER party) and begin to proclaim once again the glorious answer of the cross. -Shalom