This morning I read an article that stated the following:
"Bartlesville Police confirm a home in Colonial was burst into by seven masked youths carrying firearms early Tuesday morning.
According to one of the victims, whose name is being witheld at this time, the seven suspects entered the house at about 2:30am on Tuesday with guns in hand. "
As I read this my heart broke. All I could think was 'how have we gotten to such a place as this?' And my brain kicked in and I know exactly why we've gotten to this place.
We've removed any and all visibility or semblance of the law of God (AKA the Ten Commandments ) for students to see or hear in the public square. The law of God is vital for people to understand they are sinful and in need of redemption.
Romans 3:19-23 says "19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being[c] will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
Furthermore, for the most part student ministers in this town don't preach on sin or the need to repent of sin and sadly the bulk of student ministries don't teach on the LAW of God. Many are playing games and having parties.
When people are not taught the law of God they don't understand their need for God.
Verse 20 tells us that the knowledge of sin comes from the law being proclaimed.
20 For by works of the law no human being[c] will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
So the reason we have teens breaking into houses at 2 AM with guns drawn is because they are depraved and wicked and in need of salvation, but if they don't ever hear that it's no wonder we are in the spot we're in. When our city allows and glorifies sexual immorality it's no wonder we're seeing what we're seeing. This is judgement. Yes, I mean that.
The answer is we need pastors, student pastors and other community leaders to get back to the fundamental principles of the Scriptures. And yes, absolutely teach on sin and the need to repent of sin, not to mention we need to address the consequences of what will happen if you refuse to repent of your sin. (Read Mark 9:43-50 ).
We need to see Christians actually being salt and light in our town as well as being agents that preserve goodness and righteousness and expose sin for what it is. SIN! When I say I want to city Bartlesville become a Christian city, that is not just some type of hiperbole I mean it. But in order for this to happen Christians are going to have to grow a spine and make inroads into the dark corers of our city with the light of the GOSPEL. Where BIBLICAL Christianity thrives societies thrive. Where evil is allowed to persist the city dies.
Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
So dear Christian that reads this. You CAN make a difference. You can help win your city for the Lord, but you're going to need to show up and take Biblical action.
Open your mouth and share the Gospel with people you interact with on a daily basis. This is the first thing we can do to combat evil. A transformed heart will transform a city. When you hear evil being spoken of, CONFRONT IT. When you see immorality, demand holiness. Don't be afraid of what people will think or do. We must stand up for Godliness or we will be plowed under by evil.
MAKE BARTLESVILLE CHRISTIAN AGAIN!
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