At first glance, many might see little connection between the almost daily shootings we hear about and the incidents of bullying that many are concerned about these days, but I suggest they (and other ills of our society) have more in common.

Reduced to the basics, these problems are the result of sin, that which has been defined as the lack of conformity unto, or the lack of obedience to, the law of God — in short, that which is contained in the Bible.

The Bible teaches us that man is made in God's image. Many have been taught that man is still essentially an animal and therefore free to do whatever he or she desires. The consequences of this view is to eliminate any sense of responsibility for actions.

We need to remember the Bible says, "There will be terrible times in the last days (time since the coming of Christ). People will be lovers of themselves . . . boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents . . . unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal. . . ."

A few verses later we read those with this view of life will oppose the truth.