Photo by Johannes Krupinski on Unsplash
A Time to Grieve
Over the last few weeks our country has gone from pandemic isolation to protesting racial injustice. As I have observed the news reports, viewed videos, and heard conversations that spanned the spectrum of speaking truth, to politicizing tragic events, to justifying violent behavior, my heart has been grieving.
I grieve for those who are treated unfairly.
Like the George Floyd’s of our society, when force has turned into violent behavior, it should remind all people that all people are fallen creatures. When protests turn violent, people breaking and entering, destroying property, setting buildings on fire, etc. It should remind us that all people are fallen creatures. Violent acts in response to violent acts does not make it right. The Bible declares that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). All of us, every human being lives under sins curse. When people let their sinful nature rule their lives, violence, anger, malice, slander, and every other kind of evil deed can occur. It grieves God’s heart and as a follower of Christ; it grieves mine.
I grieve for those who are silent.
I grieve, because those who have spoken out, have condemned those who have not. They have assumed that the silence is in favor of racial prejudice. While this may or may not be true, it is dangerous to generalize all of society and spew hateful words or condemnation. Could their silence mean they are trying to listen? Trying to discover and discern the truth? Trying to understand the circumstances? Trying to act from reason instead of pure adrenaline and/or anger? Yes, it should infuriate us when injustice takes place, but to react in anger and violence makes us no different from the one who first committed the crime. The Religious leaders put a woman before Jesus caught in adultery and asked what would he do, when the law demanded death? The religious leaders were trying to catch Jesus off-guard. Remember what he said? Notice John 8:3-11,
“3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’”
6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Jesus revealed that there is no one who is righteous, and that showing compassion, mercy and forgiveness is way better than throwing rocks. His encouragement to the woman was to leave her life of sin. To those who know Christ as Savior, there is no condemnation from God. (See Romans 8:1) Jesus did not even speak out, he just wrote in the sand… his act of silence brought mercy to the one condemned. Jesus calls us to a higher standard!
I grieve for those who are in solitude, self-isolation and alone.
I remember Rick Warren stating once that “all people need to be loved and to love.” In fact he states, “The distinguishing mark of a Christian is not a cross, a crucifix, a dove, or a fish on a bumper sticker. The sign of a Christian is love. How many people know you’re a Christian because of your loving lifestyle?” In the same message he tells that believers are not meant to live as “hermits” in isolation. (https://pastorrick.com/theyll-know-us-by-our-love/) Why? Because people need each other. There are many who are feeling alone. Some choose to be, while others are forced to be. We, the church, need to pray daily for them. We need to show God’s love to them. God can break through their solitude and fill their loneliness with His love. He came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10).
I grieve for those who speak out!
I do, because of the emotion of anger, frustration, and hatred, that is the undercurrent of their speeches. Yes, Black lives do matter! Yes, the truth be-told! ALL LIVES MATTER! Every human being is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1-2). That means then I have a responsibility to treat others the way God treats me! (See John 13:34-35) If we cannot grasp that - then I need to treat others the way I want to be treated. I knew this, when I was growing up, as the “golden rule.” (Matthew 7:12) We have forgotten this in our society. We have lost respect for one another. We have called evil good and good evil. We as a country are living as if we have no hope.
But we do have hope - Andraé Crouch wrote this chorus, “Jesus Is The Answer For The World Today, Above Him There’s No Other Jesus Is The Way…” Jesus is the hope for this world. He is the answer. Until all people everywhere realize this truth, there will be unrest and injustice.
Our speech can reflect a higher purpose and calling. The words we say can build up, yes-correct and rebuke and educate and train. God’s Holy Word is the believer’s textbook that needs to be lived out in the life of every believer.
Where does that leave us? Leave you? Leave me?
I pray that all people everywhere will discover the love of Christ, believe in Him, and show His love to one another in this hurting world. I pray you will do this too! I pray that I will love the way Jesus loved others. This could be the start. Lord Jesus help us, we pray.
Growing together,
Teddy
2 Timothy 1:7