September 16, 2024

I recall, as a child learning about our Presidents, how big a deal it was when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.  "John Wilkes Booth" and the "Ford Theater" still roll off my tongue.   Not many years before I was born, JFK was assassinated.  Those live images captured that day are etched in many of our memories.  Although there were other assassination attempts  prior to Lincoln and after Kennedy, the one that I remember most clearly was in March of 1981 when Reagan was shot.   He came close to dying but survived to remain as President through 1988.  

The event that occurred yesterday seems unprecedented as there was a second assassination attempt in just over two months on President Trump.   There is much that can be said about the consequences of rhetoric labeling Trump as an evil Nazi.  We could speak for hours on the widening divide in this nation.   There are rumblings of a future possibility of a future civil war.  

It would not surprise me to see additional attempts at taking Trump's life nor would I be surprised at an attempt on Harris or the VP nominees.  

There is a deliberate nature to murder.  The murderer begins to plan, plotting the timing, and then lies in wait.  These men who attempted murder may have burned in anger against Trump for many years.  1st John 2 speaks of our sinful nature as a darkness:   Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes" (1 John 2:9-11).  As Christians, we know that hatred is akin to murder (Matt. 5:21-22).  
There is a darkness to murder; the heart becomes darkened.  The ability to love is lost.  That has been said about self-murder:  someone who is suicidal goes "dark."   Without love, we begin to die.  John says the hater is in darkness and stumbles around in the darkness.   Hatred might be considered the spirit of murder.  It destroys life.  It destroys fellowship with God and other men.  

In my tiny little view of the world, it seems that there is more and more hatred in general.  As I've talked to hundreds of people in customer-facing and service roles this past year, a statement I often make is "I feel like, after 2020, that people out in public are generally more angry and unpleasant."  To a person, every single one has agreed. . .  and then shared stories.  I wonder how far away we are from a Genesis 6:5 moment in time . . . to where God sees the great wickedness and the continual evil intentions of the heart and responds.  I've often imagined, just as in the days of the flood, that this will be when God again says "Enough!" and a flood of wrath is poured out on this earth.  

I know many that feel like the end-times are upon us.  I sure do.  Yet, I don't see biblical instruction for believers to hole up, set up their bunker, and hide away.  But we are to continue being light shining into that darkness.   As James said, "whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:20).   Someone might have had an opportunity to do so for either of those recent would-be assassins.  Be light in this dark world.   And prepare your life - be ready if Christ does return.  Continue to grow in Him, seek after Him, be concerned for His church, and share the gospel.  In other words, be light ... and be love.   

Study & Ministry

• Jaime is planning to hold an evangelism class soon.  If you have an interest, you might drop us a note. 
• "Knowing the Word" is a Bible memory class that will begin again on October 6th.  Visit with Ken Begg if you are interested in joining.  The next test day for all levels is Sunday, September 29 @ 8:45 am.  
• Joe Rodriguez is working to connect folks with various ministries, including care home ministry.  Reach out to him to find out more.