These past few days should cause us to step back and think. I would like to respond to this whole George Floyd tragedy and injustice as best as I can…
I would like to frame my thoughts with some biblical insight.
First...the prophet Jeremiah says,
“The heart of man is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
We must first recognize that all of us fall under this statement. Every human being is bent toward wrong and sin. Racism is one of those things. Racism is a human problem, not just a white or black problem. Racism was alive and well in the earliest records of history in all cultures. Racism exists in all colors and creeds. We must also realize that you and I are not exempt from it.
Secondly...Psalm 9:7-8 says,
“But the Lord abides forever;
He has established His throne for judgment,
And He will judge the world in righteousness;
He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.”
As human beings we are created in the image of God, and because of that there is a sense of wanting justice, since God is just. When we see injustice it angers us, as it should. We cry out for justice.
Unfortunately, as humans, we are not perfect. In our pursuit of justice we can easily perpetuate more injustice and inflict harm on others. Retaliation and vengeance all too often becomes our sometimes unintended motive. Only God can judge perfectly and righteously.
In light of these events, we must recognize injustice wherever it exists and decry it. The injustice to George Floyd must be publicly denounced. The looting, violent rioting, and destruction must also be publicly denounced as well. These are manifestations of our sinful hearts.
I know that the riots and destruction to businesses is an outcry of injustice. I can even see how people would get that angry and frustrated with the injustices that seem to keep perpetuating.
However, there is another path. It is a path of reconciliation and restoration. As believers we are called Christ’s ambassadors. In 2 Corinthians 5:18 it says,
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;”
As hard as it is, we are called to be reconcilers. When we participate in racism and injustice we are circumventing our call from God.
Final thoughts...we must engage our world in conversation and show compassion. We must seek to understand the plight of others. We must look for ways to bring healing and hope to our world. And lastly, we must live as Salt & Light in our world.
Take some time to reflect and seek the Lord. Confess any sins to Him that contribute to the problem. Ask God to help you to become a person who is part of the solution.
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14-17