Yesterday a tragedy occurred at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Texas. The shooter, Devin Patrick Kelley, took the lives of 26 peopke (last count) and wounded at least 20 and possibly more. Investigators are trying to determine the motive for the shooting.
Yet like Stephen Paddock who committed the massacre in Las Vegas, Devin Patrick Kelly does not fit the profile. At least as far as we know in the early hours of this investigation. It appears that Kelly was not a member of any jihadist or radical political groups. So the obvious can be ruled out. Preliminary investigation says he may have had a bout with domestic violence. Others are saying that there may have been mental illness involved.
We may never know the obvious motive behind why this tragedy took place. But as followers of Jesus we look to the scriptures. In Ecclesiastes 9:3 we read,
”¢”¢”¢Â This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all men. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead.”¢”¢”¢
Paul echoes this in Romans 3:15,
”¢”¢”¢Â Their feet are swift to shed blood;”¢”¢”¢
Evil needs no motive. Indeed the author of evil is Satan himself. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. But Jesus said he came that they might have life and have it abundantly.
Jim Richards, the executive director of the Texas Southern Baptist best summarized the tragic shootingӢӢӢ
"The motive is irrelevant,” he continued. "It is evil. We live in a fallen world. All of us have a propensity toward evil …”
"Only by a personal relationship with Christ can we have the power to overcome evil in our lives."
What should be our response to this heart-wrenching tragedy. There will be those conservative Chtistians who will say that we need to have more conceal and carry permits and security teams in our churches.  Preferably security teams who are packing, carrying heat.
But what would Jesus require of us. Would Jesus require of us to prayerfully go out and preach the gospel as Spirit-filled Christians. If what Jim Richards says it's correct. Only through telling others about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can they overcome the evil in their hearts. Should our response be to go and preach the gospel to those who are in the darkness of sin and evil.
Understanding that such a preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ can very well lead to our martyrdom. But realize the word "martyr" is translated from the Greek as "witness".
The Lord gave me a stunning revelation on Acts 1:8. We read this verse as,Â
”¢”¢”¢ "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." ”¢”¢”¢Â
We read the above verse as the Holy Spirit empowering us to go and boldly go and tell others about Jesus. And the Holy Spirit will certainly do that.
But reread the verse and substitute the word martyr for wiitness,
”¢”¢”¢Â but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My martyrs both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”¢”¢”¢
It puts the verse in a whole different light. And probably its original intention. All of the Apostles save one died martyrs deaths. We see the first martyr as Steven being filled with the Holy Spirit and laying down his life as a testimony for Jesus. And so two thousand years of church history bears the witness of the martyrs of Christ.
My response to the tragedy in Texas should be to tell others about Jesus. Indeed that should be all of our response. Doing this under the power of the Holy Spirit. And realizing we may very well lay down our lives in the process.
Simply my thoughts for reflection.
Blaine