Let Scripture Be Your Guiding Light
I don’t want this to come across as overly simplistic and without compassion, so please pardon my straightforward communication regarding some volatile current events.
First, we as believers are different and distinct as “aliens and strangers” (1 Pet 2:11). We are to “never pay back evil for evil” (Rom. 12:17), “bless those who persecute you; bless and not curse.” (Rom. 12:14), “overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21), “love your enemies” (Luke 6:35), “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit” (Phil. 2:3), and other counter-cultural attitudes and actions.
Two things we need to understand and practice during times like these:
1. Believers work to uphold justice (Lev. 19:11-18; Micah 6:8)
We know justice honors God and blesses people (Gen. 18:25; Deut. 32:4; Rom. 2:11; Mic. 6:8; Ex. 23:2; Ps. 82:1-4; 106:3). Injustice does neither, and George Floyd and many others have suffered sad and horrific acts of injustice. Read these extended thoughts on What God Says about Equality.
We know that injustice is a fruit of the fall of mankind and part of our sinful hearts. It tragically bleeds out in many ways (e.g., favoritism, discrimination, ethnic prejudice, abortion, excessive taxation, unfair labor practices, domestic violence, excessive force, etc.), so we must be careful to avoid it in our spheres of influence (James 2:1-9; Acts 15:1-31).
We know the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only ultimate solution to upholding justice and avoiding injustice (Eph. 2:14-17; Gal. 2:11-14; 3:28), so we must be faithful and urgent to proclaim it.
We know It pleases the Lord to pray for and have compassion, sympathy, and loving care for the victims of injustice (Ex. 23:6; Deut. 27:19; Prov. 31:8-9; Luke 10:30-37).
2. Believers work to honor our governing authorities (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-17)
We know God established these authorities to be “ministers of God for good” (Rom. 13:4) even when that good is not upheld (1 Pet. 2:17: “honor the King.” This refers to Nero who persecuted the church).
We know these authorities are given by God “for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right” (1 Pet. 2:14) even when this power is abused.
There are differing convictions about how our governor is addressing the church during this pandemic and how the church should respond. So we pray, consider our lawful options for appeal, and submit to this delegated authority unless we are being required to sin against God (Acts 4:18-20; 5:27-29).
We have seen how anger over injustice can turn into lawlessness and destruction and how it obscures the anguish of the aggrieved and puts our law enforcement officers in a dangerous position. We pray for those who are feeling this injustice, and for those officers who serve and protect us and for their anxious families.
This is only a brief overview of two of our countercultural responsibilities without including the nuances to our responses. As we all seek to honor the Lord with our attitudes, words, and actions, please remember that God’s love and grace should drive our hearts for His honor, the welfare of His body, and the good of those in our mission field.
Pastor Jeff
P.S. Please be careful and discerning to let Scripture, not the news or cultural narratives, be your guiding light during dark times like these (Rom. 12:2).