The Walk Out

Teenagers do crazy things all the time that make us all shake our heads. I know I sure did. I remember the time, I felt it was important for me to stand up during lunch in the middle of our High School cafeteria and preach the Gospel to the students there. That action of course, led to me being dragged out of the lunch room by the school resource officer and principle... Anyways, back to my point. Like I said, students do things all the time that they feel is important but leave us “adults” shaking out heads. But I’ve never seen the actions of students cause so much anger and hostility like the Walk Out did on March 14^th. Perhaps people feel that what students did that day was hang out America’s dirty laundry for everyone to see and people don’t like it.

Their actions whether you agree with them or not, exposed a very real and troubling reality in our nation. There have been 18 school shootings in our nation since January 1. That’s embarrassing and no one wants to talk about it. This is America. We have been told that this is supposedly the greatest country in the world. I have to agree. That does raise the question however, if this is the greatest nation on the planet to live in, why then do we also have one of the highest number of school shootings?

It really does show up as a bad mark on our legacy. What students did on March 14^th was (at least from my perspective) cast a light on a very real problem in our nation. Wherever you stand on guns, kids dying almost every week in schools is an issue that needs to addressed and fixed. Kind of like domestic violence and the drug epidemic in Tyrrell County. It’s like our dirty laundry that no one wants to talk about but it needs to be addressed and fixed. Some people want to assume this is Mayberry when for so many people living here, it’s not.

We need people like our passionate students to cast a light on the issues in our community and do something about it. I’m sure everyone has an opinion on how that should be done, just as they do with gun violence. Me personally, when it comes to the violence in schools and these issues in our community, I believe the best solution is to get back to praying together as a community, preaching the Gospel with passion, and exhorting one another to study and live the Word of God.

I can only imagine the shift that would take place in the spiritual realm if churches and civic leaders in Tyrrell County set aside just one night a month to come together to pray for our community and nation. There is real spiritual warfare taking place in Tyrrell County because Satan knows that God has put great people here with powerful resources and amazing potential to make a difference in our nation and even world. All of us coming together to pray would go a long way to destroy the enemy’s plans.

It has been said, “This is not a _____ issue, this is a heart issue.” The only thing that will change people’s hearts is the Gospel of Jesus Christ reinforced by a life given to modeling the Word of God. It is time for “playing church” to stop. We need to preach and teach for life change and community transformation. This above any action, petition, protest, or even new law, is our only hope.

Making Sin Peronal

I would not have known what sin was, had it not been for the law. –Romans 7:7

            Many people have driven back and forth through this area on Hwy 64 speeding under the assumption that there is little risk of them getting caught, only to find themselves staring at blue lights flashing in their rear view mirror. Whether we admit it or not, each and every one of us have been guilty of assuming that our speed is no big deal, especially on a four lane highway.

            We mistakenly assume that since everyone else around us is driving fifteen mph over the speed limit, our transgression of the law is no big deal. That is of course, until we see blue lights flashing in our rear view mirror. All of a sudden we really could care less if everyone else is speeding too. We have become frightfully aware that we are guilty not anyone else. Our transgression of the law is no longer what everyone else is doing, it has become personal.

            It is the same when we apply God’s Law (The Ten Commandments) to our lives. At first we think, who hasn’t told a fib here and there, looked at someone lustfully, had sticky fingers, taken the Lord’s name in vain on occasion in a weak moment? Everybody does it, and so long as we aren’t hurting anybody, what’s the big deal? Then God’s Law enters the rear view mirror of our conscience. That “little fib” becomes a lie or false witness. Our sticky fingers make us a thief. Our lust becomes adultery. Taking God’s name in vain becomes blasphemy.

            All of a sudden we realize the truth that we have become guilty of transgressing God’s Holy Law by which He will hold us accountable to on Judgment Day. We tremble as we remember how God in His righteous justice is so holy that He sees lust as adultery and hatred as murder in our hearts. He has promised to not only bring justice to the murderers, rapists, and terrorists, but also to thieves, blasphemers, and even liars and hypocrites. Our behavior is no longer “what everyone else is doing”, it has become personal sin against a holy God. It seems like every time we turn around, we lose someone tragically to death. What if you’re next? Are you ready?

            Don’t assume that your sin is innocent, of no harm, and no different than anyone else’s. When death finally rips your soul from your body and you stand before God with all your actions, words, and even thoughts exposed, there will be nowhere to run and no one to blame. When the light of God’s Law reveals and casts into the open even the things you thought you did in secret, you will have to answer for your personal transgressions of God’s Law, not anyone else’s. You personally are guilty.

            When that officer of that law hands you that ticket with that hefty fine, there is a moment of finality as you sit on the side of the road. Can you imagine your reaction if before the officer drove away, a stranger pulled beside the both of you and paid your fine for you? Now you’re free to go! You would be overjoyed and grateful. That is exactly what Jesus Christ did for you when He died on the cross nearly 2,000 years ago.

            He took the punishment for your transgressions, the penalty for your crimes, He paid your fine. Now, if you repent (turn from) of your sins and put your faith in Jesus as your Savior, God will forgive your sins, commute your sentence, and dismiss your case. You will be pardoned and granted Eternal Life. You will not face judgment when you die, but an eternity in Heaven. Your sin is your own, it’s personal. Repent and trust the Savior today while your heart still beats.