I am a follower of Jesus, and sometimes people ask for my opinion on various political, environmental, and social points of controversy. More and more so, I try to respond by re-framing the conversation to the core things of our existence. Because I believe that surface level controversies can never solve the deepest problems that exist in humanity.

Take for example – conversations about gun legislation and gun control. 2 days ago, an American citizen pledged allegiance to ISIS on the 911 call that he made right before opening fire on a large group of attendees at an Orlando nightclub. 50 people were killed and an additional 53 were wounded. What a travesty. A wicked thing was committed by this individual, and my soul is saddened by the pain and suffering that this man has caused.

Whatever side of the fence you are on concerning gun ownership – I implore you to think about this: does restricting or allowing for the ownership of guns address the root issue here? The answer is a resounding no. Nor does it address the wickedness that exists in every human’s heart.

“Cures” like restricting gun ownership are not sufficient in addressing root cause issues like sin. The restriction of gun ownership perhaps alleviates the fear of some and satisfies the anger of others. It may even correlate to fewer violent crimes and mass shootings. But it doesn't cure man's sin problem, the deep underlying problem behind all the problems.

Mankind has been living in a state of rebellion against God since the garden of Eden. And until we seek to be reconciled to God, we will never be able to be reconciled to self, one another, and to the rest of creation. All of our political meanderings won't give us what we want or hope for.

I think every human on earth, at the core of their being, wants peace with God and peace with others. Humanity wants hope for today and hope for tomorrow. We seek to live in an environment where hyper-vigilance is no longer required and the threat of physical or emotional harm no longer exists.

Consider what the Bible says about these ideas.

'Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ' (Romans 5:1).

'For in him (Jesus) all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of the cross.' (Colossians 1:19-20)

'And the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 4:6)

'May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.'

Those that have repented (sought to turn away) from their sins and acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives have an assurance of both hope and peace, both in this life and the life to come. When those that have made this decision die, they will no longer stand before God as sinners condemned by their own choices but rather as adopted children into God's family and heirs to the promise of eternal life with him.

If you are hoping for the earth to change for the better through political meanderings, you will always be disappointed. Thankfully, there's another option.