God’s Heart Toward Violence and Death
Something that has been happening in our country lately is the senseless killing of innocent people.
Two recent examples weigh heavily:
August 27, 2025: 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire through the windows of a church during an all-school Mass, killing two children and injuring 18 others, most of whom were minors.
Charlotte, North Carolina: 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was brutally stabbed to death on a rail train by 34-year-old Decarlos Brown. Zarutska had boarded the train and sat down. There was no provocation—only a random, violent act of cruelty.
These were senseless acts of violence. The question is: why do individuals randomly take lives, and how should we as Christians respond?
God Hates Death:
The Bible makes it clear: God does not delight in death.
Ezekiel 18:32: “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live!”
Ezekiel 33:11: “As I live! declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure at all in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then should you die, house of Israel?’”
Psalm 11:5: “The Lord tests the righteous, but His soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.”
God’s heart is clear—He desires repentance, salvation, and life, not death.
Jesus Wept Over Death:
The New Testament shows us God’s compassion in Christ.
John 11:33–35: When Jesus saw Mary and others' grief at Lazarus's death, “He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled… Jesus wept.”
Romans 5:12: Death entered the world through sin. It was never part of God’s original design for humanity.
1 Corinthians 15:54–55: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”
Christ wept over the tragedy of death, but He also conquered it. In Him, death is no longer the final word.
Our Response as Believers:
So what do we do when senseless violence shakes our world?
Proclaim the Gospel: Our mission is to share the hope of Christ in truth and love.
Live with Compassion: Just as Christ wept with the grieving, we too should show kindness, empathy, and love.
Reject Violence: God detests violence. Our call is to be peacemakers in a broken world.
Cling to Hope: Even though evil persists, we look forward to the day when Christ makes all things new.
Closing Prayer:
I pray that these acts of violence will cease. But Scripture reminds us that as long as we live in a fallen world, evil will still rise. Yet even in the face of tragedy, we cling to this truth: God hates death, loves life, and offers salvation through Jesus Christ.
Let us be His witnesses—standing firm in love, compassion, and hope.
