Christian Murderer?

Like many people across the nation, I've been shocked as details of a double homicide and possible kidnapping by an 18 yr old boy are revealed.  I admit that I am gripped all the more because the events took place about 15 minutes from where I went to college and I am familiar with the community.

What bothers me most is the portrayal of this young man as a normal Christian kid.  Teenagers are very confused individuals trying to find their way through life and it is tougher on kids now than it was just a few years ago.  In the last six years we have witnessed the events at Columbine High School and 9/11 and both of these events have forever changed the scene of high school.  You could not pay me enough money to go back to high school as it is today and our teachers and students need our prayers now more than ever.

All of this said, what we are hearing about this young man does not constitute normal teenage behavior.  As the weeks pass by fingers will be pointed in every direction to blame someone.  Maybe it was violent video games.  May it was too much sex on TV.  Maybe a sheltered home school background caused a rebellion.  I expect to hear at least these three theories thrown around along with many others.

The question I have to ask is how can a supposed Christian do these things and plan them in advance?  We are born sinful and even after we become Christians we are capable of doing horrible things.  Evidence of sin is not evidence that someone is not a Christian. 

I have been very saddened whenever the news speaks of this young man as being a supposedly devout Christian.  The only bright spot in the coverage I've seen was a CNN reporter reminding viewers that essentially even devout believers carry out their beliefs in different ways but that this was not representative of Christianity.

I have no way of looking into this young man's heart but it is obvious that the Holy Spirit was not leading in this situation.  Instead, I believe that we have someone raised in a Christian home who knew a lot of Christian things and did a lot of Christian things and everyone assumed that meant he was a Christian.  Listening to Christian music does not make you a Christian.  Going to church does not make you a Christian.  Reading your Bible does not make you a Christian.

Only faith in Jesus Christ makes you a Christian.  A changed life is evidence of this faith.  Possession of the fruits of the Spirit is evidence that a person is a Christian.  You might be able to fool some people, some of the time, but you can't fool all people, all of the time.  Eventually our true nature will be exposed every time.  And nobody fools God at any time.

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