With all that’s happening in this country there is a temptation to lash out. It wouldn’t be hard to find objects of my wrath; they are all over the news. If I didn’t love them, I could vent my anger and tell them they are all going to hell, but that would hurt me more than them.
If I didn’t love them, I could encourage them to capitalize on the unjust killing of “one of them” by a white Policeman. Even they began with wide-spread support; I would insist they have to demand more. I would ignore that we are trying to recover from a pandemic and economic disaster that hurt their people the most. I would insist they have to show their rage to make things change. I would fuel their hatred until they cast aside caution and organized mass protests! I would make sure stealing, killing and destruction was part of the mix and broadcast across the nation. After all, my aim would be to reduce public support and divide the nation.
If I didn’t love them, I would make sure they blame all for the crimes of a few and insist on sweeping change that would cripple Police effectiveness. That would further damage their families, communities and economic prospects. No matter their part in the problem, I would blame the system, so they won’t fix what is really wrong. National pride and signs of progress would be ignored, because you can’t demand more if you are doing well. I would stir up their hatred for everything our country holds dear and would get help from our enemies.
But I do love them and don’t want to see them hurt. Sadly they are listening to the thief who “cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10 KJV). The thief doesn’t discriminate and is looking to divide and conquer us all.
So if I love them, what am I supposed to do? I will follow where JESUS leads. He told us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31 KJV). But what good is that going to do? Let’s try it and see.
But they are being led by the thief and are committing injustice while demanding justice and trying to stop hate with more hate! So how is that working out for them? It isn’t working, so we are going to follow JESUS and love our “enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Mat 5:44 KJV). Like the Police, not all of “them” are bad. In fact, like the Police, most are good.
So how can religion solve this? Religion can’t but “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV) and they are included in that offer. Included in the offer is JESUS, who also experienced injustice and while hanging on the cross prayed “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34 KJV). That is why we follow Him!
Wayne Lance (2020)