The State of Our Country: Violence, Evil, and the Hope of Christ
Introduction: A Nation Hurting:
Every day, the headlines remind us that our country is in turmoil. Violence erupts in schools, churches, subways, and neighborhoods. Innocent lives face destruction as evil claims them. These tragedies don’t just leave scars on families—they leave wounds on the soul of our nation. And as Christians, we cannot look the other way. God calls us to mourn, to respond, and to point people toward the only source of true healing: Jesus Christ
A Culture of Violence:
Individuals commit mass shootings and random stabbings, making violence disturbingly common. Recent tragedies have reminded us how fragile life is—a 23-year-old opened fire at a church Mass. A career offender brutally murdered a young Ukrainian refugee on a train, and someone recently assassinated a Christian and conservative activist for visiting college campuses and speaking the truth. These raw, unnecessary, and evil acts shock us.
Sin runs rampant in our world, and evil no longer hides in the shadows.
Why Does Evil Seem to Be Growing?
The question we ask in moments like these is, “Why?” Why do people commit such senseless acts? The Bible makes it clear: we live in a fallen world. Since the Garden of Eden, humanity has struggled with sin, rebellion, and violence. Ezekiel tells us that God “takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezekiel 33:11), but He calls us to turn away from sin and live.
Evil thrives when hearts are hardened and turned away from God. What we’re seeing in our nation is not just a political crisis or a cultural decline—it’s a spiritual battle.
The Christian Response to Violence:
So how do we, as followers of Christ, respond?
We grieve. We mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). Weeping is not weakness; it is Christlike compassion.
We pray. Prayer is not passive—it is powerful. We must intercede for victims, families, communities, and even perpetrators.
We act. Our calling is not to hide but to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16). That means standing for justice, serving our neighbors, and sharing the gospel boldly.
We hope and live in expectation that Jesus Christ is the ultimate answer to this world's violence. His return will bring justice and peace.
A Message of Hope in a Dark Hour:
Yes, our country feels broken. Evil seems louder than good. But the story is not over. The cross reminds us that God entered into the darkest violence imaginable—His own Son nailed to a cross—and turned it into the greatest act of redemption.
The same God who raised Jesus from the grave can heal our land. Revival doesn’t begin in Washington, D.C.; it starts in our hearts, our churches, and our homes.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Here’s the question I leave with you today: Are we willing to be the generation that chooses light over darkness?
We can speak the truth where lies are spreading.
We can offer peace where hatred is growing.
We can live with courage where fear is consuming.
Violence may mark our country right now, but it doesn’t have to be the final word. Christ has the last word, and that word is victory.
Together, let’s remind our nation that evil will not win—because Christ already has.
