Feral Riots UK

The word feral has been used many times in the media in the last few days to describe the behaviour of mindless rioting youths. Feral means wild or untamed. Feral comes from the latin root word 'feralis' which means 'belonging to the dead.' The bible teaches that "The wages of sin is death." Not just physical and spiritual death but sin kills where ever it goes. It kills trust and respect in relationships and seperates us from those around us we should be connected to. The bible also teaches that unbelief is a sin. Children are taught the lie from an early age their very reason for being is a accident in nature millions of years ago. This hardly instills a sense of purpose. They are also taught that respect is earned rather than the biblical model which teaches respect comes with title and position. The 5th commandment is honour your mother and your father. All things begin at home. If there is no respect there, there wont be any outside. As the endless debates continue as to the reasons for the riots, and many are being put forward, the obvious one will be convieniantly overlooked. Unhinged sin is the spirit of lawlessness. It is demonic in nature but easily bound by praying saints. Government has its vital part to play but only the church understands that "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the ruleres, against the authorites, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil." This fight can only be won in one position and that is upon ones knees.

Forgiveness

Jesus often taught on forgiveness. Forgiveness is sometimes hard to talk about. When the sinful women anonointed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her tears the Pharisees grumbled. Jesus then reminded them how little they had done for him since he came into their house and how many great things she had done. "Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little" Luke 7:47. Was she a greater sinner than those present? No. The difference was she understood how much she needed to be forgiven. You will often find the greatest labourers for God are those who have been the greatest sinners. They do not labour to earn merit or work for their salvation but understand the depth and width of their sin and the real price Jesus paid. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, had a vision of a island with many people knitting and writing and idling away the time. A few others were furiously labouring to save those perishing in the sea all around them. Sadly it was true then, true at the Pharisees house and true now. At the centre of forgiveness is the word 'give.' It really is that simple.