There have been so many words swirling around in the last several days, I am reluctant to add mine to them. But in light of the recent news, and the recent backlash–from everyone, in all directions–I was moved by these words from Psalm 97:
The Lord reigns.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!
O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Psalm 97:1-2, 7, 10 ESV
What has been the most grievous to me is the violence that has not only taken place in Charlottesville, but that is in so many hearts. This week it’s Virginia, next month it will be somewhere else. Different scenery, same story line. The hatred for another human with another perspective and another story is appalling.
Despite the media coverage and social media hot topics, however, I am positive that the vast majority of the people around us are still behaving normally. Going to work, going to school, shopping, teaching, working out, and eating as usual. They’re not pulling punches just because the person next to them is another variety of human.
The Lord reigns.
Jesus is the ultimate king. There is no earthly government that will stand the test of all eternity, and we are subject to him.
He is the king of justice and righteous life. His kingdom is founded in these. His rule extends to our lives, and to the lives of the ones we can’t agree with. He sees it all. This can give us great comfort and it should also give us pause.
Injustice has no place in His kingdom.
As one who is under the government of Heaven’s King, injustice can not take root in my life.
Today I am asking myself some hard questions. Do I act unjustly? Am I speaking unfairly of any one, without understanding? Do I act in a way that puts myself at an advantage at the expense of someone else? Do I pursue appropriate justice in dealing with family, neighbors, work, and even my online friends? Is justice valuable to me, or am I only interested in my own comfort?
Those who worship images–those who put forth their time, energy, resources, and attention to an image, idea, construct, individual, nation, religion, or agenda–will be put to shame. There is no real hope in these, only an illusion of hope. They cannot last. None of us wants to be put to shame, or to think that we’re pursuing something that can’t last.
We want to believe that we’re building something that is worthwhile. We want to believe that our ideas are immutable. The only way to be certain of that is by focusing our entire lives on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Is an idea true? Check it against the loving justice of the Cross. Is an ideology worth dying for? How does it compare to the highest love of a man laying down his life for his friends?
Those who love the Lord, hate evil!
This is an imperative statement. Hate evil for what it does to our families, our children, our homes, our communities. Hate it when it rears its sneaky head in your own life. Don’t excuse it, minimize it, or call it less than someone else’s brand of evil.
Those of us who claim to love Jesus have a distinct role to play: To love these people, and to hate evil.
But do not be afraid of evil. The Lord delivers his saints from the hand of the wicked.
Is the Lord your shepherd? Can you walk through the valley of the shadow of death and truly fear no evil? Can you receive sustenance from the Lord while your enemies are staring you down?
Our enemies are not primarily people.
Rather they are the spiritual powers of hatred, jealousy, division, anger, murder, and strife. People are meant to be loved. Evil people exist but they are first created people who have been deceived by these heartbreaking and destructive forces. Yes, even “good” people can be deceived, and even bad people can do “right” things. What are we to do in these uncertain days? Love, and trust God to know hearts, motives, and purposes.
There is an unswerving peace that comes from acknowledging the Lordship of Jesus in this world, solid even in the most frightening of circumstances.
He is just and He is good–and He is also merciful.
Can we be like Him? Can we do what is just, and can we also be merciful? Can we hate evil and stand for righteousness?
I struggle to put that into action terms, but I believe it means engaging in real life with real people.
Do justly.
Love mercy.
Walk humbly with God.
Walking humbly with Him means that you remember that you are not God. He is. This humility allows us to serve Him, serve others, and be merciful in one moment and in another be just, and at both times righteous. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit living and breathing with us to sway to that rhythm.
What does that mean for me?
This may mean for some of us that we’ll gather with others, peacefully communicating by our presence that we will not stand for injustice and we will uphold the cause of our brothers and sisters who have been unfairly treated.
That may mean that we write to our representatives in government, pursuing change in legislation.
That may mean not averting our eyes but standing up for someone in front of us being belittled and berated and maybe even beaten for being different from the one bullying. It means deciding in advance what actions we will be willing to take in these situations.
It means refusing to get into a shouting match online. (I think online etiquette deserves its own paragraph.) Please, for the love of humanity, consider what the Bible says about being ready to explain the reason for the hope that is in you. Are you sharing hope or trying to prove someone is wrong? Let’s please consider what it says about letting our words be full of graciousness, seasoned with salt, so you may know how to answer each person. Each person, y’all. That requires insight. Not blasting generic talking points to whoever says something that you disagree with. Sure, you are welcome to state facts and the truth and your perspective; but I plead with you–don’t get caught up in the rhetoric and the flinging of links and horrors and red herrings and party lines. Sometimes you have to say your piece and walk away. Learn to know when that is–your blood pressure may be an indicator.
In every day comings and goings, it means not just not sneering at someone who is different from you, but extending kindness, a hand, a word of encouragement and solidarity. I believe it means being human and seeing their humanity as well. It means listening to the heart of the Father, who created each one of us, and who cares profoundly enough to be involved personally, and who has hope for every last one of us.
But I believe for most of us it will mean that we do not encourage division, and do not pursue violent means to gain an end. Didn’t Jesus say that saying “you fool” to your fellow man is the same intent in the heart as hateful murder? Let’s be careful that the violence does not start in our hearts, minds, and lips. Let’s pray that we will know the difference between a line worth drawing and an argument that will only fracture relationships.
Please don’t think that I am naïve enough to think that if we’re just nice to everybody, we won’t get into trouble. I know that just because we belong to Jesus we’ll face trials, persecution, mean folks, and punitive bosses. But I do know that kindness goes a lot further than being abrasive. I know that standing for justice may mean getting knocked down forcefully. I also know that real relationship is the only thing that can change people and nations. Let us use our words, our steps, and our energy to pursue reconciliation, one human to another. Let’s address some real hurts and try to find some real solutions.
It means praying.
These action steps mean nothing if we are not walking in step with the Spirit, motivated by the transforming love of God, not out of our altruistic intention to “be the good in the world.” The primary difference-making relationship is the one with Him. More than anything, let us pray that the Holy Spirit moves in our own hearts. Let us pray that He shines a light on the real issues and brings revelation, repentance, and reconciliation in our communities. It is His intention and purpose; let’s get in on that.