CRIME PT.3

TURNING POINT MINISTRIES

As I sit to write this article today, my heart is “deeply wounded!” Nevertheless, I thank God that my injury was not afflicted by a knife, or by bullets from a gun, but, by those who are call too, but are not preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, but, ‘another gospel!’ The ‘gospel’ that says: “if government do its part, this “Epidemic of Crime” will go away! But will it? Friends, you may read your bible from Genesis to Revelation and you would be able to find a single text that states, it’s going to go away. In fact, Dr. David Allen is on the record saying: “The startling murder rate should come as no surprise to Bahamians as statistics indicate that the ‘country is in a crisis.” Friend, Dr Allen is not a Preacher, nor is he the Prime Minister, nor is he the Commissioner of the Police, but, a psychologist, and he said: “something is going on in the country” (and what ever it is, he saying) that (it) needs to be immediately addressed” he said. Truly, the present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Is it not? Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us! Some are even are watching the relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place, and not just the Bahamas, but, the whole-world is on the verge of a breathtaking crisis. And to make matters worse, even Ministers of the gospel are ‘bewilder!’ So bewilder are they that, they are confused and puzzled! But how can this be; Pastors? No wonder, many of us are also ‘bewilder!’ This is why you and I were told to: “Study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” And encourage to: “…shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” 2 TIMOTHY 2:15, 16. There are many pastors on the record condemning the high rate of murder, and high volume of violence crime which are taking place. Pastor Rex Major is on the record saying: “Bahamians should not let a regard for ‘their rights’ and ‘freedoms’ get in the way of the fight against crime” he said. Here again, if you were stand on the Bible and not your feeling you’ll find that ‘Christians doesn’t have any RIGHTS!” Sound strange, but its true. So, let’s read the words of Jesus: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt ‘love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.’ But I say unto you, ‘Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;’ (and it’s when you and I do that in Christ) “That (we will) be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Then Jesus asked this question: “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?” No reward, my friend. “Do not even the (publicans/gentiles; those who are not Christians do) the same?” Oh yes! “And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? Do not even the (publicans/gentiles; those who are not Christians also do) so?” Oh yes! So then: “Be ye therefore perfect (says Jesus,) even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” MATTHEW 5:43-48. But sad to say, some Pastors and Christians alike would read those words and still believe they have some ‘RIGHTS!’ I can hear them now, saying, I believe in an: “eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” brother, so I don’t know what you’re talking about. So did Jesus, my friend! For He said: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I (Jesus) say unto you, that ye ‘resist’ not ‘EVIL:’ In other words do-not: “struggle, fight back, attack, counterattack or repel!” And “whosoever (says Jesus) shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” MATTHEW 5:38-42. Nevertheless, Pastors and Christians alike are finding those words spoken by Jesus; to be a ‘hard saying!’ So then, what else should Pastors/Christians be expecting of those who are not Christians? Tell me! Hence, these great distastes are, and will continue to take place among pastors and their church members, for they, are trying to ‘protect’ that which they do not have, the so-call “CHRISTIAN RIGHTS?” Hence, the CHRISTIAN RIGHTS are talking out of the both sides of their mouth. Sometime you can hear them calling on God. Next time around, they are calling on the government! Which will it be; God, or the government?