Our crime rate is a cause for concern

EDITOR: It is without doubt a cause for concern in relation to the rising crime in our nation, namely, homicides. While we would agree that there is no one cause of this crime, we must also agree that most of the time it is revenge and gang war.

While we ought to condemn this action and be concerned, we ought not to be surprised, as the Bible tells us about these times, as found in 2 Timothy 3: 1- 4. These verses outline, in part, the state of man’s heart and perilous times that shall come upon this world.

We know, comparatively speaking, in relation to many countries in the Caribbean, SVG is not the worst. However, the murder rate is indeed cause for concern and discussion. A closer look will reveal that these persons have failed to love each other and to forgive. Gone are the days when people had a fear for God and would say that they are leaving it in God’s hand. Also there was a respect for life. This is no longer the case. Rather, there is a joy for some, to talk about being a bad man and a willingness to kill if they are being offended.

What we need are families for God. We need mothers and fathers who are willing to pray for and with their children. It’s not enough to have a belief in God and being religious.

We must admit that it is harder to train a child today than it was many years ago. Similarly so, we must admit that we are not praying as we used to before.

The focus today is so much on advancement materially and socially, that we seldom seek to advance spiritually. Gone are the days when every home went to church and children had to go to Sunday School. The Lord’s Prayer and John 3: 16 was known by every child. Today, it is the technology that gives guidance to our nation.

All the blame should not be placed on our young people, because they are just a product of the home and society. It is therefore important that we, as adults, become role models in our society and that parents give Godly guidance by first becoming a child of God, then seek to walk in His ways. Then and only then can Godly guidance and training be imparted. If we fail to do so, we would see a continuation of crime in these last days.

May GOD grant this nation His peace and may we as a people do as 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”.

The peace of this nation is not in the hands of any politician, but in the hands of the Lord. Thus, it is recommended to follow His spoken word.

Kennard King