What in the world is going on in America right now? I mean yeah we all knew there is great polarization of opinions, and has been for what is now years. Yet, how do we personally and socially navigate through what we are seeing on the multiple screens of phone, tablet, and computer? By the way I do not plan on proposing that you will find exhaustive answers here. I am really externalizing my own thoughts.
I was just telling Hannah yesterday that I do not know how to even begin any kind of conversation with anyone about these current times (alleged murder of George Floyd, protests, riots, etc.). Everyone’s opinion is so strong that I fear even attempting to post a word of encouragement or reflection on social media. How do I start it? How do I word it…without it blowing up in my face with a long stream of attacks or critiques? No matter your position and opinion on what is going on in America there are 101 other opinions out there that are somehow polar opposite to yours and far more informed.
I titled this post The Apostle Peter on Injustice because I believe a safe statement to make is that “injustice” or as Peter would say, “lawlessness” is at the heart of everyone’s concern. With few exceptions most people are angry right now due to what they personally view as injustice (i.e angry about murder or protests or riots, etc). Would you agree?
With that I want to propose a few thoughts on injustice for my brethren in Christ to consider. I would very much like feedback and conversation on this. I confess upfront that my blind spots are not immune to this circumstance as they are not to any situation. So, please read, consider, and comment.
Let’s look at Acts 2.
Acts 2
“this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”
Acts 2:23
The pressing question on my mind at this time is: “How does the gospel speak into our circumstances?”
- How should the Christian navigate these conversations in light of the gospel?
- How should the Christian think about these situations?
- How can the Christian use these times to bring in the gospel light to shine on our dark realities?
I believe the gospel as seen in Acts 2 helps us keep perspective. To simultaneously comment on the text and the situation in America I would say: Lawlessness is always to be condemned. It must be dealt with honestly and severely. Every form of injustice, from the death of the innocent Son of God (Acts 2:23) to the death of George Floyd, must be dealt with.
Now let us ask how and why it is to be addressed. Again we remember the words of Peter in Acts 2:23. He addresses the greatest act of injustice of all time: How? He addresses lawlessness as a way to speak the gospel into the reality of the men he was addressing. Why? To lead them to reconciliation with God by repentance.
As the Christin addresses injustice in his day he must be mindful of the apostolic example. The injustice in mind may be the death of Floyd, the riots, or at other time the varying cases of abuse or oppression. Whatever the injustice be that pushes you to speak, are you doing so as a follower of Christ, or to use Paul’s words, “manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27). Whether you are chatting quietly in a corner or chanting loudly on a corner, using signs or virtue signaling, marching or blogging; whatever it be what makes it Christian?
In other words is your motivation, method, and goal different from the non-christian? Does your “why” and “how” look more like the rebel against God or Peter’s example in Acts 2:23? Peter spoke of great injustice as a way of presenting the gospel so that people would be led to reconcile with God.
If love for neighbor be the great drive for speaking out against injustice then it will provoke you on to make it your goal to see the unjust repent before God “who is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26).
The Gospel Reveals the Reality of Our Relationship to God
The use of the gospel in evangelism is always to instruct others of their reality regarding their relationship to God. The Bible instructs us of certain and constant truths which inform how we see ourselves before God. All this to say that viewing circumstances of gross injustice as gospel opportunities is not to just sound spiritual for every circumstance should be informed by the word of God.
Let’s shift gears for a moment and address what might be called the elephant in the room. Brethren, we must recognize that every generation of Christians in some form or fashion is a product of its culture. We are no different. As mentioned above ours is a culture of polar opposites, or so we are made to think. “If you voted for so-and-so than you believe this or you approve of that…If you posted this that means you are this or you are ignorant of that…If I disagree with you on this and that we can in no way be friends.” It is sorrowful to see our country morphing into this, yet what is beyond sorrowful is to see brethren do this. Here is where we each need to be reminded of how the gospel reveals the reality of our relationship to God.
Brother and sister if you have believed the gospel (“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures…was buried…raised on the third day…and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” 1 Cor. 15:3-5) if you believe that, then you are blameless before God, sanctified, adopted, and a part of Christ’s bride. Not only that, but I am those things with you. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).
- It is true that even with the new reality we enjoy in Christ there are yet differences of thoughts and opinions about how we live out our days in this life. However, is you are blameless before God, sanctified, adopted, and bride to Christ, who am I to revile, slander, or abuse you with my words.
- Number one is said in conjunction with the fact that we have a unity that far surpasses any social tension that could ever arise in this life. He who is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus has taken you and me, “lawless men” and justified, sanctified, and adopted us. We have been united in Christ; we are the bride of Christ.
My brethren, this is the gospel. This is our reality. There must be unity and not polarization. There must be loving and peaceful conversations about our concerns without reviling, or questioning the others salvation unwarrantedly. We must not let the culture influence us and convince us that we must polarize from brethren of a different opinion. Instead we must head the words of Paul already quoted, yet I will quote him further:
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel…”
Philippians 1:27
God has unified us in Christ. If you only seek or find unity with brethren of similar views, convictions, and actions, then you are seeking in error. Unity is not based on the demographic of the person, but on Him who came to unite all demographics in himself.
Conclusion
As we continue to see how this week and next months will unfold let us remember to turn to the gospel. It is the light for each of our paths as we follow Christ. Yet, the gospel is also to be taken into the public square where injustice is decried. There may its light shine and show all men their injustice before the Righteous Judge so that they would repent and be reconciled to Him who is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
One final and short word as you go. You of course will hear and read various perspectives on the issues of our day. When you come to various videos and articles by Christians with a variety of opinions the question may arise: Who is right? I would encourage you to keep your radar up for the message that has reasonable, consistent, and constant appeal to scripture.
The Reforming Raker 