Response to Injustice:
And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:10-14
As I have been meditating on the current situation in the world and the seemingly unending tragedies, I am reminded how we must turn to the words of Jesus. The recent tragedy involving George Floyd has left so many in the world angry, filled with hate, and looking for revenge. As Christians, serving a just God, it is right that we long for justice. We also know, particularly evidenced in the wrongful accusations hurled against our Savior, that injustice abounds in this fallen world. It is tragic that anyone would die at the hands of someone whose job it is to serve and protect. All the more, I am thankful that Jesus has not left us without instruction and teaching during times like these. Consider four things:
First, “…do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21). In the face of so much evil around us, attack the evil by doing good. Do good to those who are angry. Do good to those who are hurting. Do good to those who are scared. Seek God through His Word as to how you might do good, by the power of the Spirit within you, to those who are struggling in these days.
Second, cling to the gospel. Don’t allow this to lead you into sin and faithlessness. Don’t allow the enemy to come in and delude you into thinking God is not there and has no plan. Cling to your faith in Christ, cling to your faith in God who is sovereignly working all things together for our good (Rom. 8:28). Cling to Christ, knowing that through this time God will produce in you endurance and character and hope (Rom 5:3-4).
Third, love people more aggressively than ever before. Share the gospel with people, serve people, and act like Jesus would act to people. Where things are wrong, declare them wrong, but offer forgiveness (Eph 4:32). Where evil abounds, do good. Where people are struggling, walk with them (Rom 15:1). The law of Love (1 John 4:10-11) calls us to love other people as God has loved us. This requires deliberate action. Seek out ways in which you may support, love, and serve those around you.
Lastly, share the gospel with people. I do not claim to know what God is doing or why He allows these things to happen in life. One thing I am convinced of is that every situation like this brings an opportunity to share the gospel. Times like this show me that this world is broken. They show me the pain of death that sin has brought into the world. They remind me that all men are capable of horrible things. All these things and more come in like a flood. It is then that my heart and faith focus on Jesus, who is redeeming this broken world (2 Cor. 5:19), who has removed the sting of death (1 Cor. 15:56), and who provides a way that all men can be righteous (2 Cor. 5:21).
Friends, we are living in difficult days for so many reasons. However, may we be found faithful as we seek to follow Jesus during this time. We can confidently declare that Jesus knows our every sorrow, He experienced the wrong of unjust authorities, and He has definitively conquered. May we do good to all men (Gal. 6:10), love people, cling to and share the gospel, and look ahead with expectation to the day when Christ returns to ultimately right every wrong. Though these times are hard, we pray that God would be glorified through every situation. Cling to your faith my friends!