In The Hearts Of Men

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 

Romans 1:16

As children we were cautioned that “birds of a feather flock together” with the implication that if we were friends with the “bad kids” we would become bad and not vice versa.  We also adapted this attitude toward the weird kids.  As adults we still hold this idea, that we are powerless in the presence of those whose ideas conflict with what we know to be the truth of the Gospel.  This can result in some really lonely people, who are not in fact particularly bad to begin with but who are easy pickings for those looking for people to corrupt.

The news is littered with stories of “home grown terrorists.”  Most are people who are on the fringes of society, who seem to be forgotten and ignored and whose pain and desire to feel needed and loved drives them to float around the internet, day and night, until they stumble upon someone who tells them that they can be part of something big that will change the world and make them famous.  And, off they go.

So, what are we going to do about it?

I would suggest that if you notice that someone you know has disappeared from the social scene or from school and into the cave of the internet that you go see them face to face.  Talk to them, drag them out for coffee.  Extend the hand of Christian fellowship to them.  It may be awkward and they may rebuke you at first, but if you go back two or three or four times, they will see that they are not alone and forgotten and that God loves them.

The real war is in the hearts of men.  And, we can do our part by taking the Gospel and the love of God to those who are hurting.