Genesis 4:8
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Since Cain killed Abel, crime and violence have increased around the world.
Burglaries, armed robberies, and murder are becoming so commonplace that they are reported in obscure statistical lists.
corners of the nation's newspaper. There is seldom a day that goes by when we do not hear of senseless murders and mass killings.
and destruction across the land.
Some of the violence that we see is a response to social conditions. Just as much of the rioting and disturbances of the
The 1960s in Watts and other areas were prompted by mounting social frustrations, and to a degree, much of the violence we see is a
response to social conditions Poverty, unemployment, and hard times create conditions where violence is cultivated. However, poverty, unemployment, and hard times do not always spell violent responses.
African-Americans and other poor people have experienced hard times but have not always resorted to violence. African-Americans, for example, have survived slavery, depressions, race discrimination, and extreme poverty, yet as a whole, they have not resorted to violence.
There were times when African-Americans considered violence and crime a response to frustration, but great men such as Dr. Martin Luther King, A. Philip Randolph, and others showed more meaningful responses. Adverse social conditions can breed violence only if the moral fabric of society has degenerated to the point that respect for Godly principles and human life has
declined. As respect for godly principles decreases, the incidence
of violence increases.
Society's immediate response is to build more jails to house the criminals and murderers and get them off the street. This is a response to the symptom. As they are jailed, the valueless the society in which we live is producing still more to take their place. The values of honesty, loyalty, kindness, thrift, cleanliness, helpfulness, obedience, and respect are slipping away, and the resulting product is violence and crime.
The only hope we have is Jesus! Persecution is great, but we have hope, and it’s in Jesus!
Black Perspective:
African-Americans must draw upon our historical resilience, look to non-violent leaders for inspiration, address the root causes of violence, uphold moral values, and find hope and strength in their faith when faced with adversity. These principles will help create positive change in our communities and society as a whole.
Even in times of persecution and adversity, our faith in Christ can provide a source of strength and resilience. We should lean on our faith during difficult times.