Volume 9, Issue 46
Christianity teaches that we live in a fallen world. Sins of the flesh impede brotherly love. Human nature, unredeemed, magnifies self-interest. Willpower is weakened for some, misguided for others. Governments constituted on the premise that human life is cheap and of little value have minimal regard for the pain and suffering of the individual.
The results of interwoven human nature in a fallen world are desperate in consequence, driven by human frailty, evil intentions, and valueless governments.
As a country, the United States deals with the dysphoric circumstances of our society as if these elements of human nature were mutually exclusive and unconnected.
They are not.
Human beings fall into a snare, sometimes through poor choices, sometimes through enticement, sometimes through allurement, sometimes by default of circumstances. Once caught, they are sometimes ambushed by those with evil intentions. Insensitive governments allow evil to flourish through lack of conviction to moral principles.
The depth of despair of human frailty is personified in homelessness, drug abuse, and poverty. The initial emotion in recognizing someone’s need for help is compassion. Concern for one another is also instinctive to human nature. Dedicated professionals treat mental health, stock food banks, provide shelter and clothing, deliver healthcare, and encourage training and education. It is not enough.
Homelessness is on the rise. More and more cities are being disrupted by itinerant camps. The United States just passed 100,000 drug overdose deaths so far this year. That is up from 17,415 in 2000. Drugs are so plentiful they are impossible for police enforcement to control. The COVID economic recovery has failed to lift a chronically unemployed community out of poverty.
No one wakes up one day and declares that their life objective is to be homeless, on drugs, and unemployed.
What is exacerbating the situation is criminal drug rings in Mexico manufacturing synthetic narcotics containing fentanyl and other synthetic chemicals that are deadly. The drugs are produced in such quantity that their availability in the United States is readily accessible in any community to any age group. These criminals prey on the human frailty constantly exposed in the turbulence of this system of things. The chemicals imported to manufacture these drugs largely come from China. The United States, operating as an open society with constitutional protections, is the primary market target of choice.
The U.S. government fails to enforce border security. Illegal aliens and illicit drugs transgress our borders. It makes little sense to advocate government policy that only treats the symptoms caused by the evil rather than address the evil itself.
The answer to the societal problem is not to abandon freedom. Our compassion to love our neighbor as ourselves is still a guiding mantra worth total commitment. Sharing resources, unconditionally aiding those in need, protecting our children, and respecting the authority of the family unit are principles of character composite in the moral fiber of our country.
Standing defiant against those with evil intentions in the face of valueless governments requires courage of convictions greater than oneself.
The existence of the frailty of human nature is an opportunity to show our love for our fellow brothers and sisters. Love is the basis of all meaningful relationships between God, mankind, and individuals with each other.
Advent is the occasion to reaffirm one’s faith that love will conquer evil.
May the peace of the Lord, through His love, be with each of us and our families during this holy season of Advent.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?
Next Week Part Two – Evil Intentions