Not in My Community?
With so much criminal behavior that is occurring these days, we have to consider what individual citizens and the Church can do. Obviously, we can be careful to watch out for our neighbors - we should be aware of what is taking place around our neighborhoods. But, when you consider that crime is an expression of the evil of a human heart, we can embrace our spiritual authority in Christ and pray against these strongholds that people have built in their lives - a rejection of God and an expression of evil. In Matthew 18 (ESV), Jesus called out those who were preying on children, stating:
4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
Stealing innocence. That's what came to light in a small town in Alabama recently. The Washington Post set up the scene in a church in this city:
4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
Stealing innocence. That's what came to light in a small town in Alabama recently. The Washington Post set up the scene in a church in this city:
There were Baptists and Methodists and some who claimed no denomination at all, heads bowed and eyes closed in a rare show of interfaith unity amid criminal allegations considered so evil that some openly wondered if Satan himself had taken up residence here.
Days earlier, just across the street, Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade said his office had uncovered an alleged child sex trafficking ring operating from a concrete bunker behind a home on the dusty outskirts of Brent, an adjacent town of about 3,000 people located an hour south of Birmingham. At least 10 children between the ages of 3 and 15 were allegedly victimized.
This had reportedly been occurring for three years, and the knowledge of its existence had shocked the city of Brent and nearby Centreville. 1819 News quoted Centreville Mayor Mike Oakley, who said, "This is beyond believable that this could happen in a community near you, but it does happen," adding, "It's always a shock, and I can't believe it that that kind of evil resides in this world and in this area because there's so many good people here. This was the ugly side of humanity, and it's just sickening."
About the prayer vigils, the mayor said, "We felt the need to really go spiritual and start a process where you ask God's blessings and healing for the communities because there's no doubt this has given Bibb County a black eye..." He noted, "We've got great people, but it just shows you that you need what we call in the Army, 'situational awareness.'"
According to WVTM Television out of Birmingham, "Officials are searching for at least 15 additional suspects in a child sex trafficking ring that was found in a Bibb County storm shelter." Seven out of eight suspects were arraigned last week, and all seven "pleaded not guilty by mental disease or defect, according to an assistant district attorney. The judge ruled that five of them will remain without bond. The other three have already been denied bond under Aniah's Law."
Again, Jesus spent time talking about protecting children. These children in Bibb County were lured and manipulated into heinous situations, far beyond their capacity to understand. And, their lives have been dramatically scarred. The Post article reported on alarm by residents over what had occurred, and carried the suggestion that people missed the signs. There will no doubt be long-standing sorrow in the community.
But, there is the potential for healing. Always. There can be hope emerge even from the ruins of these broken circumstances. Acts committed by broken people who have given into sinful, greivous desires and now state that there is a mental defect.
While, mental health issues are certainly front and center in our society currently, we can also see here the ultimate expression of a heart that has rejected God. The urge to sin can be overpowering, especially for a person who does not know Christ and does not possess a clear sense of right and wrong. That is why intense prayer for our communities and a bold proclamation of the gospel are so important. The Bible describes the human heart, which include mine and yours, as "desperately wicked," or "sick." The presence of God can bring clarity and healing for the heart that is deceived.
About the prayer vigils, the mayor said, "We felt the need to really go spiritual and start a process where you ask God's blessings and healing for the communities because there's no doubt this has given Bibb County a black eye..." He noted, "We've got great people, but it just shows you that you need what we call in the Army, 'situational awareness.'"
According to WVTM Television out of Birmingham, "Officials are searching for at least 15 additional suspects in a child sex trafficking ring that was found in a Bibb County storm shelter." Seven out of eight suspects were arraigned last week, and all seven "pleaded not guilty by mental disease or defect, according to an assistant district attorney. The judge ruled that five of them will remain without bond. The other three have already been denied bond under Aniah's Law."
Again, Jesus spent time talking about protecting children. These children in Bibb County were lured and manipulated into heinous situations, far beyond their capacity to understand. And, their lives have been dramatically scarred. The Post article reported on alarm by residents over what had occurred, and carried the suggestion that people missed the signs. There will no doubt be long-standing sorrow in the community.
But, there is the potential for healing. Always. There can be hope emerge even from the ruins of these broken circumstances. Acts committed by broken people who have given into sinful, greivous desires and now state that there is a mental defect.
While, mental health issues are certainly front and center in our society currently, we can also see here the ultimate expression of a heart that has rejected God. The urge to sin can be overpowering, especially for a person who does not know Christ and does not possess a clear sense of right and wrong. That is why intense prayer for our communities and a bold proclamation of the gospel are so important. The Bible describes the human heart, which include mine and yours, as "desperately wicked," or "sick." The presence of God can bring clarity and healing for the heart that is deceived.
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