SOCIAL INJUSTICE

I had first thought about doing a podcast, but realized I express myself better through writing than I do speaking. So what is this post about?

Social Injustice

Social injustice in any form is wrong. Yet, it has been in this whole world since the fall of mankind, and was manifested when Cain killed his brother Abel, over jealousy. As a blood bought, born again believer and follower of Jesus the Christ, we understand that we live in a fallen world; a world whose value systems are not the same a God's value system.

In the days of Moses there was social injustice against the nation of Israel. And throughout the scriptures and even into our lifetime, our parents lifetime, our grand and great grandparents lifetimes there has been social injustice. The prophet Amos wrote concerning social injustice and the prophet Isaiah wrote a whole chapter about fasting in relation to social injustice, about how God would want a fast not from food, but rather a fast that would treat others rightly, with love, care and kindness. Here is only two verse:

Isaiah 58:6-7 Is this the fast that I have chosen; To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

Yet, we have continued to show injustice, prejudice toward others, because of how they look, the color of their skin, how they dress, what part of town they live in, what kind of job they have, their age, whether they are male or female. We will find ourselves judging others based on a stereotype, that has been embedded into our thinking for generations. By the way these are strongholds set up in our minds that are an argument against God's values and we are told to take these thoughts captive and transform our thinking by renewing our minds daily in His word 

The word Injustice means: 1. Absence of justice, violation of right or of the rights of others, Unfairness. 2. An unjust act: Wrong

In the book of James a letter is written about faith and works, that our faith is evident in our good works. That we should, if we have the ability, to help one in need. And it addresses having favoritism or partiality with others, even within the church, imagine that! I suggest if it has been awhile open up and read the book of James.

James 2:2-4 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to one wearing fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man "You stand here" or "Sit here at my footstool," have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts.

In the book of Acts, Peter says "God is not a respecter of persons". Simply put; we can not impress God with our performance, with our bank account, with our clothes, with the color of our skin, with our car, our home, how we talk, and pastors cannot impress God with their sermons. God is Sovereign God a position of authority and is on His throne in heaven, He is not sleeping nor uncaring, He both sees and hears, He knows our thoughts and He knows our heart intents. He is all powerful, He moves on behalf of His people and He vindicates those righteous who have suffered wrongly. He is a holy God, perfect in all His ways and when He acts He acts justly.

All of the above is the backdrop for what I am about to say.

I do not know George Floyd personally, what I have heard is that at some point in his life he came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Whether he was guilty of what the store owner said, I do not know, because a policeman decided to show his superiority and by murder and stopped George Floyd right to due process. What happened to him was injustice, no doubt. People are hurt and angry and want to protest against racism, I agree and stand with you, I grew up in the 50's, 60's, where I saw injustice because of the color of ones skin. Though we have come along way from the times of separate water fountains, riding in the back of buses, not allowed to eat in certain restaurants, segregated schools. By now it should be annihilated, and yet, it's ugliness is still here.

In Ephesians we are told we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers of the air. These are demonic forces that are sent by their leader, Satan, to bring discord, division, destruction. His desire is to kill, steal and destroy, he is a liar and the father of lies. He uses people as his pawns for destruction. As racism was a tool used to kill George Floyd, he also uses people to riot, loot, destroy and burn down businesses, destroy cars, homes and people. This action is also injustice, it destroys innocent people's livelihood, harms whole communities and cities. People are being beaten, shot, hurt, is this not also injustice? 

Remember the same people shouting Hallelujah when Jesus entered Jerusalem, 6 days later were screaming "Crucify Him, Crucify Him". We call this and the rioting of today mob mentality. It begins with one inciting another and it spreads from one to another.

Those in authority whether mayors, governors or higher up, are in a place where hard decisions must be made, violence is never to be tolerated even if those who think it is justified feels it is. People are stressed not just over the death of a man but years of racial tension releases itself in outburst of rage, this isn't the first time, it even happened 5 years ago, 2015 and throughout the years before. But today, we are also in a pandemic situation, where people have been locked down, and people are sick, people have died and fear has penetrated the atmosphere all across the world. Stress building like a pot of water boiling on the stove, must release itself. This event triggered an explosion. But knowing that peaceful protest are good, violence in the dark are criminals that prey on destruction, must be met with action, a show of force, a presence that says, "this is not the way, go home, let justice have it's appearance"! Justice cannot be served by more injustice.

So how can the church of today respond, well individually we show kindness to all we meet, we refuse to show partiality because of the color of ones skin. 

FOOTNOTE: In fact I am tired of distinguishing color of skin, are we not Americans, human beings, we all breath, and bleed, hurt, cry, laugh, love. It would be good if when we see a person we don't see skin color, we see a person.

Next we pray, we pray in our homes privately, we pray corporately, churches need to be praying churches,

FOOTNOTE:

 Why are churches called black and white churches, the church that God founded is not based on skin tones light, medium, dark, it is built on the foundation that Christ Jesus died and rose from the dead for all not some.

I personally believe that churches all across the world should be calling for a special time of a corporate time of prayer. To pray for peace, healing, justice, God's grace and God's mercy. We need to come together in one accord and call out to God. I also think our President should once more call for a day of prayer and add to that fasting.

Many mock God and prayer, but they don't have to pray. America and this world is in a grave situation and prayers need to be happening.

This is where God has had me the last few days. And so much more but I will stop. 

WATCH AND PRAY ALWAYS!