It's because we've lost God

Dear editor:

With all the mass killings and shootings over the past several years and all the debate over weapons ban, there is something more, something missing, much more.

First, one has to understand that all weapons, no matter what kind, are amoral, neither good nor bad, what makes a weapon is the person behind that weapon; are they moral or non-moral.

Secondly, there is no fear of God, why, because they do not know God. The psalmist once wrote, "There is no fear of God before his eyes." A.W. Tozer stated in his book, "The Knowledge of the Holy," "that when men no longer fear God they transgress His laws without hesitation. The fear of consequences is not a deterrent when the fear of God is gone."

We the people, in ignorance, have removed God from our history, rewriting it so as not to offend someone. We no longer want to admit the existence of God or that we have any responsibility to Him. We have removed God from our history, our schools, and our text books, as well as prayer for guidance and protection.

Morals, right and wrong, are no longer a topic of learning and then one wonders why these things happen in our world today.

Sick people, meaning those that do these things, will always find a weapon. For the most part it is too late to teach young adults right from wrong, when teachers and professors and others teach them that there are no absolutes.

Many preachers today are teaching and preaching a false grace. In so doing, they are saying it is okay to sin and fall if one is not convicted of sin or a wrong, then, it is not sin.

My heart is pained at the tragedy of these events and even more so at the fact that many who claim to know Christ really don't know Him or His greatness. It is time to return to the God of our father's, not in legalism, but in holiness and reverent fear. And yes, it is time to put God back into our schools, on our buildings and in our textbooks and not the gods of this world, but the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

If it offends, so be it, we have tried it now without God and it has failed.

Yes, our thoughts, prayers, and hearts go out to all who are suffering. Let our ideals, our passions be placed where they belong, not on a weapons ban, not on placing blame, but back on God, putting Him back where He belongs. Let our prayers ring high, high into the heavens, into the throne room of the Almighty. Pray for guidance, wisdom, comfort and courage to stand, to stand for righteousness and true holiness that come only from God and Him alone, Amen.

-- Bishop J. Walter Stull, Lead Pastor, River of Life Family Worship Center