Recently I was playing table tennis in the office with a colleague, when suddenly a breaking news story flashed in the screen:
“Hackney stabbing: Two boys held after 18 year old man dies in the street”
Tragedy. Instantly, I was taken aback. Just a few weeks ago, I helped carry the casket of a childhood friend to his grave who was brutally murdered on the cold streets of London. The pain was – and still is – surreal. Again, a young life ended by a cowardly act of violence. I’ve lost friends in the past, but the frequency has increased. Sadly, it seems, as I grow older, the victims are getting younger.
And how do I respond? How has life both conditioned me to respond to such acts of senseless violence and to deal with the pain? In answering these questions, it has occurred to me that perhaps I no longer mourn the recent violent deaths as I should. Perhaps, the senseless taking of lives has led me to also believe the lies that devalue human life.
However, as a Christian scripture reminds me that this mind-set is both unsatisfying and unbiblical. To deny the painful reality of death’s sting is also unhelpful at best. Equally, mourning as one without hope also can’t be healthy – or biblical for that matter. Praying is essential – but surely more can be done? We need balance, otherwise we fail to appropriately address the problem that irks our communities. We must confront these questions before tackling the recent spate of violent crimes and offering solutions.
Addressing the pain
The trivialisation of murder and death in our culture underlies most of the uncompassionate responses to the murder. In fact, it underlies the acts of murder itself.
The first step in rectifying this is to appreciate the sanctity of life. God has made us in His “image” and after His “likeness” (Gen 1:26). This divinely instilled characteristic means that human life is invaluable. It must be, as we’re fashioned after God’s likeness who ontologically transcends all.
This reality forces us to recognise that life is too sacred to mindlessly end. This truth moves us from viewing lives lost as staple “news stories” to heart-breaking events worthy of our mourning. Christ wept at a single death (i.e. Lazarus), so why shouldn’t we mourn over the many? Our failure to confess life’s sanctity perpetuates a society whose feet are “swift to shed blood” (Rom 3:15).
The source of our pain
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned…” – Romans 5:12
Why are streets plagued with crime? Why is trapping preferred over honest work? The media blames everything from musical content to socioeconomically geared factors. Though important, they miss the underlying issue. Sin.
Bad communities exist because like every other community, it's made up of sinners. Politicians who promote immorality. Law enforcement who neglect justice. City workers who idolise riches. It’s not just a matter of nurture – an external reality – but nature – an internal reality. Cain didn't grow up listening to UK drill before learning how to murder his brother. Socioeconomic misfortune didn't push Pharaoh to commit infanticide. The origin of our pain dates back to the mankind’s primordial rebellious act itself. Children are murdering in our streets because of sin’s internal pervasiveness that affects all.
Without mentioning sin, we misdiagnose the issue. Therefore, our best attempts to cure man’s sickness, will merely mask the symptoms. We can only tackle the issue once we recognise that we are also evil by nature. Isaiah condemns the sinful nations around him but his revelation of God leaves him saying "Woe is me... I am ruined... I am... unclean". (Isaiah 6:5)
Recognising our Hope
“But we do not want you to be uninformed… that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13
The pervasive, darkness of sin alongside its effects need not define us. Christ conquered the grave, having triumphed over sin and death. Our current circumstance is not absolute. He presents us with a reality whereby death is a translation from this world to our heavenly home. It’s the moment in which we leave behind our sin and join Christ in eternal bliss. Death’s decay is not the end and therefore loses its sting for those in Christ.
The God ordained value intrinsically embedded within human life teaches us to mourn. But Christ’s victory over sin teaches us to hope.
“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” – 2 Pet 3:13
The Christian Response
So, what does all of this mean for us now? What can be done about the chaos and misfortune that surrounds us?
Firstly, we must pray. Sounds cliché? Well it shouldn’t! When we recognise that sin is at the centre of the problem, we find ourselves faced with an enemy that we can’t defeat alone. We are deemed “more than conquerors in Christ Jesus”, but never apart from Him. We must pray for His empowerment, preservation and divine intervention. Only He can snatch people out of the kingdom of darkness and bring them into His light.
Secondly, get active in the community. Sounds contradictory? Well it shouldn’t! In the Scriptures, we are presented with a Christ who fed people spiritually and physically. By His stripes, we see people healed in both body and soul. Christ Jesus cared for the whole person – so why shouldn’t we? We should be involved in both evangelism and safe spaces that get kids off the street. Youth programmes, encouraging educational events and career nurturing events can be helpful. But we must always remember, it does not cure the deep-rooted issue of sin. That said, a man who doesn’t feed the hungry often loses the right to tell Him about a Christ who satisfies.
Another suggestion would be to get into prisons. There are many churches who are already involved. Join in and help lead Gospel-centred services for those who are isolated. Engage with them in deep discussions about life’s meaning and purpose. Support organisations like Daylight ministries who work in prisons throughout the UK, who need more volunteers and mentors post-incarceration.
Finally, live a consistent Christian witness. Most kids have extreme misconceptions about the Church, which deepens their rebellion against God. They’ve often come across “Christians” who abuse the Scriptures or who fail to take it seriously. I’ve scarcely met one who hasn’t. We must ensure that we live worthy of our calling so that others may learn of a life worth living and preserving.
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