A Thought

“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Matthew 10:28

You’ve probably heard by now that the Arkansas Senate has passed a bill allowing for concealed weapons to be carried in churches (it is currently prohibited), subject to approval by the church’s governing boards.  It now goes to the Arkansas House where it has failed before, but Governor Beebe says that he will sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk.

There is a political argument for and against this measure becoming a reality, but there is only one spiritual argument that can hold sway to the faithful.  If a church reaches a point that it believes armed security is required, in my humble opinion that “church” as the Body of Christ has ceased to exist.  If the faithful attend worship with fear not of the Lord but of a stranger entering the sanctuary with evil intent, only the Holy Spirit can salve that person’s soul.  Remember St. Peter’s intent to “save” Jesus?

There are many forces at work in our culture trying to make us afraid of first one thing and then another.  Dear friends, this is no way to live!  And if we spend too much of our conscious awareness being afraid of anything on this earth or in this world, then we cannot say we truly TRUST our Lord.  Where is the “relationship” in that?  If we have “friends” whom we do not trust, can we really call them “friends”?  Or are they merely “acquaintances”?  Someone we are vaguely familiar with?

I will leave it to you to decide whether you should contact your own state representatives but if you are fearful, I strongly encourage you to get on your knees and contact our Lord!  He is the only One who can give us comfort, and He is the only one who can satisfy our souls.  He is the only One who can keep us truly “safe”.

Trust Him, and Him alone for your safety and well-being.  Only then can we truly “live”.

Blessings,

Michael