It's not about crime... It's about sin

I just read a post from a dear friend on Facebook and I was moved almost to tears.  The post concerned the newest movement focused on ending gun violence.  I know, why would that move me to tears, it's a noble effort, and gun violence... wouldn't it be wonderful if it could be wiped out?  Here's the thing, gun violence is not what we need to work on, it's only  a symptom of the true sickness that causes pain throughout the world... sin.

Every country in the world has outlawed slavery, yet every day in thousands of cities and communities around the world girls, women and young boys are bound against their will to do unspeakable things for those powerful enough to break the laws of civilized society at the most base levels.

Every country in the world has laws against theft, rape, physical violence, and murder, yet every day people become victims of these crimes.

It is illegal to kill someone yet we see throughout the world, people use numerous means to bring life to a violent end.  If a gun is not available a knife will do, if no knife then maybe a hammer, no tools, then the wheels of a car..... or maybe a nasty dose of poison, drugs, a push into traffic, or a plain old fashion beat-down... 

We have made laws against violence since Old Testament times, and most cultures have a common legal code.  So why do we still have death and violence when we have such strict laws?  the answer is simple; it's sin.  We are immersed in sin.  Sin is in our hearts.  There is only one way to combat sin, and that is through a daily growing relationship with Jesus Christ. 

There in lies the problem, Jesus..... because we are sinful, we are averse to admitting our need of this relationship, and we avoid it because it would mean changing who and what controls our life. 

So now I will write a statement that will be very unpopular in the current social flow.  Passing another gun law will do nothing to change what happens on a daily basis.  People will still kill each other.  Starting a new feel-good movement to outlaw guns or knives (sticks, stones, sharp sticks) will do nothing but make the people involved feel like they have accomplished something, but in reality nothing will change.  The only thing that will change society is people meeting Jesus in a personal and life changing way.