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Godly Wisdom for the Days Ahead
Recently, I was going to address the massacre in Orlando. This week I felt a need to speak to the disturbing shootings by police. Now we have a vicious ambush of the police. With so many events happening in this volatile environment, I feel it's most important for me to address not what all is happening, but rather how a follower of Jesus Christ should navigate them.
#1 No matter how strongly and passionately we feel about any issue, who is right or who is wrong, how hurt we have been by it, or how justified we are to feel like we do...We are Christians First, before we are White or Black, Asian, Native American, or Hispanic. Our goals and our actions must be decided by the Lord Himself, not our personal feelings or agendas. When it comes to answering "Whose side is God on?", know that He is not on our side of a conflict. We are on His!
Joshua about to go to battle in Jericho encountered the angel of the Lord. He asked, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?" He said, "No. Rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord." How profound. (Joshua 5:13-15) Us: "Are you on my side or their side?"God: "No." (I haven't come to take sides. I've come to take over!) #2 His desire is for all to be saved, and for us to pray for peace so that it can happen. Lose the anger at people, groups, etc. and put on love. Channel the energy of your anger into pursuit of doing the Lord's will. We can't fix this, but He can!
Yes there are some bad, racist cops. They should be dealt with. There are also some bad racist people who claim to be Christians. All Christians aren't like some who act ungodly. All cops aren't racist. Not even the majority. All African-Americans aren't cop haters. All Muslims aren't terrorists, etc., but all of us need to be saved and submitted to Jesus. That solves all problems. "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (I Timothy 2:1-4)
I know it's difficult sometimes, but we must forgive and put on love, for only then are we going to see things the way God sees them.
#3 Some Practical Applications
* If you have never walked in another's shoes, don't judge them. As a white man born in the 1950's, I am certain of this: people of color in this nation have suffered much, and there is no way I can begin to imagine what they have endured. If I was a black parent, I too would have to fight worry if I had sons, wondering if they would be harassed, persecuted, profiled, etc.
* Bless any Law Enforcement Officers you encounter. Buy their lunch or just say thanks. If you're life is in danger you are going to expect them to respond if you call. And put yourself in their position...With every call to which they respond, they don't know if the suspect is going to try to kill them. This is every single day. It only takes one mistake, and the officer doesn't ever go home to his family again. And yes, it only takes one bad cop and an innocent person doesn't go home either. Have compassion for everyone, but put God's will and opinion above all else.BOTTOM LINE
New Life Church (and Bread of Life before that) has always been multi-racial and multi-national. Many have asked how we accomplished that. The answer is simple: I have no idea. I do know that race and nationality never enters our thinking. We just think in terms of born of God or not. Seeing and doing things God's way has a way of causing things to work themselves out.
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."(Galatians 3:28) Whatever comes, Glorify God.
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