A Heavenly Matter:Black Lives Matter/ Racism
- E.O.
- Jun 5, 2020
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 7, 2020
Are you ready for eternity?
Some, including myself, may look at 2020 and ask, how can we not be? But let me ask you again.
Are you ready for this picture of eternity?
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ( Rev 7:9-10)
Racism, black lives matter, these issues we see right now are relevant and matter. It's easy to assume it doesn't affect us directly,but it does. And even if your life doesn't change drastically, it still has everything to do with us as Christians. This should especially move us as believers because the people being affected right now may be the very people we stand next to in eternity.
This matters because it is a heavenly matter.
After the death of George Floyd, it was the breaking point of the African American community. Enough is enough. After the Ahmaud Arbery, Breona Taylor, and the history of so many documented and undocumented deaths by police without justice. You can see the deep pain and frustration. Honestly, I felt and still feel inadequate, mixed with a little guilt and confusion of how to react and care about this injustice. I know it's wrong, but now what? If I spoke or posted, would I undermine the cause because I don't really understand the depths of pain? I saw so many people speak up, protest, post on social media and stand up against this injustice. And that's good, we need it to invoke change.
But to those who are still processing and learning to understand and voice their opinions whether it be praying, art, protesting, educating, it's important to know we should not be led by guilt, but by a heavenly perspective. I believe God has given us direction ( via the Bible) and freedom (via gifts, expression, experiences etc) to display a care for this matter of injustice, one not being more important than another. So as God leads each of us into change, whether we publicly or privately express it, as Christians it is a change worth fighting for. And may it be more than just this moment, my prayer is that we would take a stand for justice for the long run.
It's plain and simple why Christians should stand for the injustices we see within African American history and why we should be the first ones to step up for change. It's not because we are better than this or we should do better. Although that is true, but really if God is the king of our hearts and living for him is ultimate, we need to be about what He is about. That includes justice as well as forgiveness and grace. It's about loving what God loves ( justice) and hating what God hates (evil) [Psalm 99:4/97:10]. Our hearts breaking for what breaks His. It includes striving for unity that Jesus prayed for and what he died for. Can we pause for a moment and think about the fact that Jesus, the creator and maker of all things, had my name and your name in mind as he prayed specifically that we would be one. And that he would tear down the walls of every difference in order to be united in his death and resurrection.
"“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them,that they may be one even as we are one " [ John 17:20-22].
"For he himself is our peace,who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility." [Eph 2: 14-16]
Our ability to stand next to our brothers and sisters in the universal church speaks volumes about our care for one another. "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together" ( 1 Corinth 12:26). But if that is not enough, racism in itself is an act of hate and sin. Not just against the person, but against God. It's sin because any degree of racism blinds us from seeing every person as God's creation and hinders us from being able to love them as God calls us to. Turning a blind eye to the racial injustice acts as disservice to being a witness of the God who sees their affliction, hears their cries, and knows their suffering ( Exodus 3:3).
And change, especially a change that has been deeply rooted in history and really stems from the hearts of man ( Mark 7:20-23- it's the heart that defiles man) will be a long and enduring one. It's our sin nature that ultimately points to a change requiring a savior ( Jesus). We shouldn't be surprised as Christians to see such injustice as we do now, but it also doesn't mean we should be complacent in fighting it either. If anything, we at least know we can walk in faith knowing we have a God who loves justice and promises to give it ( Psalm 94).
With God there is justice. But also with God there is forgiveness, steadfast love, and plentiful redemption. That's why we can hope in His word and in Him alone [Psalm 130]. My hope and prayer is that Christians would not take this opportunity with a grain of salt, but take it as an opportunity to stand for what God stands for, to hear and learn about what's being said, care for real people who are hurting as God does, and to point to a greater hope that surpasses what this world can offer.
Change without God will not be lasting. Ultimately we need to stand for justice with the gospel at the center and as our guide.
Let's stand for justice, but on our knees in prayer.
"With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? [Micah 6:6-8]
I've been personally moved and educated by movies like Just Mercy (2020), Hidden figures (2016), and plan to keep reading and understanding the plights of the African American community. Please comment any additional resources that have been helpful!
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