Seeking Change Through a Gospel Lens (part 2)

E.O.
Jun 7, 2020
6 min read

Updated: Jun 8, 2020

Before I start writing and sharing, God reminded me to take a moment and remember why we are talking about this. It’s not to talk about social and racial justice for the sake of justice or because it’s a trendy topic, but because people are oppressed, hurt, and died at the hands of those who promised to protect them. I feel so inadequate even writing about this because I confess like many, if it doesn’t affect me, my heart tends to be indifferent or tempted to stop caring. But these are people- these are real people, flesh and bone just like you and me. These are God’s people, each fearfully and wonderfully made. These are issues and people God cares infinitely more than we ever could, praise God! So for the sake of His name and His people, let’s try to engage, even if it just touches the surface.

Change.

What would change look like in light of the racial injustices, socioeconomic disparities exposed by this pandemic?

Let me ask you another question that a fried asked:

What if racial injustices, actually all injustices, in this nation were fixed, yet one soul was not saved in Christ during the process? Would our mission as Christians be “complete”?

My answer was: of course not, our mission didn't even start.

Through this conversation and with the help of the sermon this Sunday, it’s challenged me in two areas as I process, 1. Do I care for all injustices that God cares for? And 2. How can we pursue change with a gospel lens?

The first is more of a personal conviction. Sometimes, actually a lot of times, it is easy for me to not care for more than what is in front of my eyes. So when George Floyd’s tragedy among others became more prominent, I became more aware and began to recognize this is something that needs to be noticed and cared for like I wrote about in my previous blog (https://erikaolofson97.wixsite.com/website/post/a-heavenly-matter-black-lives-matter--racism ). But this was an issue before these past months of deaths when everyone began to take notice. All to say, I had to honestly ask myself, do I care for what God cares for actually? Or do I take on stride with fighting when the world begins to fight? Not saying it’s wrong, actually it is more so important to speak and act when the world is awake to certain issues and injustices, but it is something to consider when we think of racial injustice. Do we care about all injustices God stands for or is it just the ones that affect us or are brought up? Not to say this to shame or guilt anyone including myself, but it is actually comforting to know we have a God who not only knows every seen and unseen injustice in this world and cares so much about each one that He sent his son for every one of them.

“O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage. They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; and they say, ‘ The lord does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive’ Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke?” [Psalm 94:3-10]

With that being said, the death of George Floyd, the lynching from the 60's, these matter far more to God than we can comprehend. And like I mentioned before, Jesus died for the same exact issue that was seen during his time, but instead of black versus white, it was Jew versus Gentile. These two groups of people hated and despised one another, but in Jesus' death and resurrection the two were made one (Eph 2:14-16/ Gal 3:28]. In other words, Jesus' blood ran and still runs deeper for those who believe in him. It runs deeper than skin color, culture, language etc. God's grace knows no bounds because we are not saved by anything we do or even who we are, but by everything Jesus did and who He is {Eph 2:8-9]. It starts with the church to display this in our love for one another despite differences in our backgrounds, our looks, our strengths,or our weaknesses. In doing so, we as a church display God's manifold wisdom and glory and reveal a unity unlike this world, based on nothing but the blood of Christ.

So when standing for racial injustice as children of God- his image bearers, how should our pursuit for change look different compared to the world?

I believe that it starts and ends differently, but the avenues may look the same ( protesting, donations, education, engaging etc). Rather than blaming society and the corruption in government policies or police, we know as Christians that at the end of the day,it comes down to the root of sin in the human heart. The root of racism is pride that one race is better than another and treats others as inferior. It is a conscious or subconscious unbelief that God created all with equal dignity in his image. So, that’s why the end goal in standing against injustices changes.

We can attempt to correct the infrastructure of governments, change laws and policies, and even become more aware of our own failures. But none of these things can actually transform the heart of a sinner. [Mark 7:20-23]. Only Jesus can. And that’s why we absolutely need to preach the gospel as we step into the means of change. And it’s not like we can preach the gospel without action or act without the gospel, but it is a both and. Lastly, to note that as we press into change, there also needs to be grace and mercy. Pray for our leaders, their decision making and choices and even for those who perpetrate these injustices. The hope of the gospel is for the oppressed, the widowed, the poor, and the sinner.

My hope and prayer that as we continue to fight the battles of injustice, whether it be racial or another one, we know our battle is not against flesh and blood, but the sin and the enemy schemes. , Let's lament with those who are hurting,love those we may not completely understand, fight with the gospel as our guide and pray desperately, preaching Jesus as the ultimate solution.

"Finally,be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore,having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and,as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,praying at all times in the Spirit,with all prayer and supplication. To that end,keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." [Eph 6:10-20]

Living Way ( Pasadena, CA) * HIGHLY RECOMMEND* ( starts at 28:00)

The Gospel and Racial Injustice