THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM
The Christian Recorder
AUGUST 2022
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The Truth Is The Light Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., Columnist
Based on biblical text: Romans 12:3, ”For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” As the body of Christ, we stand on the principle of “Love Thy Neighbor.” “Love thy neighbor” is a principle we wear as a banner of affirmation to our Christian way of thinking. However, to love our neighbor, we must learn to tolerate our differences. We are challenged to love our neighbor without liking what he or she represents, does, or thinks. Despite our differences, there is common ground on which we can all stand. The common ground is treating each other with respect due as human beings. There are certain common decencies we should all be afforded. A reason we find “loving thy neighbor” difficult could very well be that we think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think! It is when we put ourselves on a higher plane than our neighbor, that we fail to acknowledge their basic rights as human beings. As Christians, we need to remind ourselves not to be so high and mighty when it comes to common decency. Paul admonishes us, “Don’t think too highly of yourself.” Later, in his letter to the fledgling church in Rome, Paul challenges, “Do not claim to be wiser than you are” (Romans 12:16). We can be so puffed up with pride and arrogance
that our vision becomes clouded by our air of superiority. It is then we risk thinking we are better than anyone else. Unfortunately, then we stop listening. Listening is the key to peace. The truth is, humility goes a long way to resolving differences. A humble person is more inclined to listen to another person and consider another person’s viewpoint. This behavior is a sign of respect. The prophet Amos asked, “Do two walk together unless they have made an appointment?” (Amos 3:3). Humility reveals much about us. Humility demonstrates our willingness to put someone else above us. Humility helps us extend the same courtesy to someone we desire. Jesus taught us, “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged” (Matthew 7:1). As Christians, we
are called to share the gospel and leave judgment to the Lord. We are personally responsible for our own soul’s salvation. We are commanded to share the gospel with others, understanding the decision is theirs, not ours. That is why Paul told the church at Corinth, “But let a man examine himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28). We must examine ourselves. Do I think more highly of myself than I ought to? Do I need to come down off my high horse? Is my head in the clouds? It is a good idea sometimes to ask a friend we can trust to be honest with us. We should not get angry at the answer. Instead, we are challenged to humble ourselves and work to fix it. If we truly desire an effectual relationship with humankind, we need not be so high and mighty.
The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of James Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Charleston, South Carolina.
The Frequency and Fear of Mass Shootings Have America on Edge. We found gas just recently for $3.99. What a At a parade, seven When Will They Stop? people were killed bargain! James B. Ewers, Jr., Ed.D., Columnist
Numbers give us a perspective. They don’t lie. We use them in almost every facet of our lives. Probably more so today than ever before in our lifetime. There are some that we gladly accept and others we cast an alarming eye at. What are numbers telling us about our nation today? Let’s look and see.
Owning a home is a part of the American dream. It has always been that way. Just last year, the interest rates were more manageable. Now, they are climbing and hovering around 6% in some areas.
and forty-six people were injured by a lone gunman.
Again, the numbers matter.
Robert Crimo III, the shooter, now faces seven charges of firstdegree murder.
A number that is disheartening and disappointing to talk about is the number of mass shootings that have occurred during this period.
He was shooting his victims from a rooftop with a high-powered assault rifle. He is twenty-one years of age.
Numbers-wise, Covid-19 has been with us for over two years. It has taken the lives of many of our family members and friends.
A report in the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit, says there have been 314 mass shootings in this nation so far this year.
What kind of vile and vicious thoughts build up in a guy of that tender age? We will probably never know the answer to that question.
According to reports, over one million people have passed away from this deadly illness.
Hate, mental health, copycat, and not valuing life are all reasons why we are seeing these heinous crimes committed.
Now this community outside of Chicago is left to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives.
Since the vaccines, we have seen a significant drop in new cases and deaths. Do you still wear your mask? We do.
This same report says that more than 22,000 people have died because of gun violence this year.
Pain at the pump has become a commonly used expression.
We have come to a point in our beloved country where we watch where we go.
It is fitting because of the price of a gallon of gas.
Being in a crowded area has now almost become a recipe for instant disaster.
The numbers that glare at us at the filling stations simply make us shake our heads. It was just a few years ago that we gave a casual wink at the cost. Now our eyes are wide open. The average cost for a gallon of gas is now $4.69. Some states are higher as it depends upon where you live.
Parades and outdoor celebrations have become favorite targets for these would-be killers.
R. Thurman Barnes, the assistant director of Rutgers University’s New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and faculty member at the Rutgers School of Public Health, said, “In a country like ours, we have a lot of guns.” He added, “And when you have as many guns as we have which we have more guns than people, you’re going to have more gun violence in all of its forms.”
The 4 of July has always been a holiday filled with joyous activities of all kinds.
Sometimes, it seems as if we are waiting for something to happen to us. That cannot be our only course of action.
This 4th of July was tragic and life-ending for some citizens in Highland Park, Illinois.
Stronger gun laws aree a course of action that more Americans want now. ❏ ❏ ❏
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