Over the past few days as news reports continue to become, day by day, ever more shocking. I have been mindful to hold my tongue for fear of becoming just another hurt, and angry voice, that fuels the fires of division while not contributing to a dialogue of resolution, healing and restoration.
I have also seen many of my Christian brethren, remain silent for fear of getting caught up in the "Political Debates" of our days, and somehow in so doing tarnishing the message of the Gospel which we hold so dearly. For fear that by speaking out we might get caught up in a "Social Debate" and in so doing fail in our witness and testimony of Jesus Christ.
But as the days have gone by... and the wounds in our country aggravate.
It has become clearer to me that those of us who call ourselves by HIS name, do not have the luxury of remaining silent.
As the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesian 5:11, not only are we instructed to stay away from "unfruitful works of darkness", but rather we are called to "expose them."
If we are to be true to our discipleship of Jesus Christ, then we must find HIS voice in the public debate. We must find our place in the public square, and prophetically proclaim HIS message of Justice, Redemption, Restoration and Healing. The Apostle Paul again here is instructive.
In 2 Timothy 2:24-25 he reminds us to "not be quarrelsome", but we "must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. [We] ...must gently reprove those who oppose [us]...in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth."
SILENCE IS NO LONGER AND OPTION...
I pray that the American Christian Community will proclaim loudly, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; that we can be against police brutality, and not be against police.
I pray that the American Christian church will recapture its prophetic seal and be the voice of the stranger among us, be they from south of our border, or from a majority Muslim nation; that we may shield them from injustice.
I pray that the American Christian church will recapture its prophetic seal and be the voice of the stranger among us, be they from south of our border, or from a majority Muslim nation; that we may shield them from injustice.
I pray that Pastors and Church leaders throughout this country will respond appropriately to their calling, and lead their congregations in exposing injustice, and defending the cause of the oppressed.
I pray that we all remember the words of James, who tells us that "Faith without action is dead." So... we can pray for Justice. We can and should pray for peace. We can and should pray for redemption and reconciliation. But just as importantly; we need to engage our communities and match our earnest prayers with serious action.
Our scriptures call on us to "Expose Injustice" yet it also calls on us to "Love Our Enemies." even more so we are called to "Bless Those that Curse Us. To an angry world this might not make any sense. They will see it as contradictory and crazy. Yet as disciples of Jesus Christ we know that silence and ignoring evil, leads to death, yet Love, and engagement, leads to the presence of God and His Kingdom.
So I pray... that Christians will no longer be silent.
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