Ever had a ‘Stevie Wonder’-call? I hadn’t even heard of that before – till Alistair Begg spoke of it. It goes back to a song in which he said “I just called to say I love you”…
As I write this pastoral letter the reality is that another event of world-wide impact has overtaken and even threatens to magnify the spread of the pandemic and its terrifying consequences – the explosive events in Minneapolis which quickly overtook life and news in America and is spreading around the world.
The scourge, the absurdity and devastation of racism is in the news – tragically again. Does man never learn? Sadly the immediate trigger issue in the unjust death of George Floyd it is being overtaken by mixed and conflicting agendas not to mention distortions and manipulations of subsequent events. Yes there is real pain , frustration and even despair, and undoubtedly a multiplicity of responsibilities involved in the issues around civil rights.
Surely the issue is not civil rights, but the lack of, the need of civil love – a phrase I read from Barry York as he wrote under the heading ‘Civil War, Civil Rights, Civil Love’ – and the realisation that this cannot be produced by civil government or civic classes in the community. Nor can civic disruption by anarchy and destruction of other people’s livelihoods by looting and destroying buildings, nor civic dominance by any group by intimidation, humiliation, violence and even murder.
Civic love starts with people, and is primarily the responsibility of people – as shown by some such as the African American men who formed a circle of protection around a white police officer separated from his unit.
While we seek godly ways to promote and show true civil love in all areas of community life, as Christians we know that ultimately what is needed is the love of God. It is through the gospel of Jesus Christ that sin is honestly exposed and graciously dealt with, changes made.
Listen to Col 3:8-10, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.”
We are one race – all descended from Adam through Noah, we have one common ancestor. We are one human race. And as such all created in the image of God. As Christians regardless of background we are one family – the children of God, all being remade in the image of One, the Lord Jesus Christ. Anything that speaks against that and acts out of accord with that is sin. It is sin in the world, it is sin in the church.
In seeking to digest and respond to these events I was struck by the words of two American Pastors grappling with the issues raised and screamed over their media, as they caution a constructive restraint to their people and Christians in general in the face of the complexity and fluidity of issues and agendas involved in and making use of this tragedy. Let me share some of what they wrote.
One brother wrote:
‘We have been flooded with images from our cities. But, protests and riots are not monolithic. There are different people, different factions, different ideologies, and different goals within this movement.
What is shown on social media and television is far beyond protesting. There is anarchy and riots in the streets.
Christians, promote the truth.
If we cannot find the testimony of at least two or three witnesses, withhold judgment. Christians should press the pause button on sharing ideas that might bear false testimony. We should be slow in judging a specific person, or people group, or protest. There are many factions that are operating within these riots. There is a lot of disinformation out there. Christians must promote the truth.
So be careful about what you hear. Be careful about what you believe. Be careful about what you say.
Christian, let’s not speak according to the media’s dialogue. Let’s not follow along with the world’s storyline. We can tell where true peace is. Christian, we can bring people to Jesus Christ where they will truly have their hearts overwhelmed with peace.
We can say to our neighbour, “You are right! There is something desperately wrong with this world. But, one day everything will be made new again.”
Brothers and sisters, be angry and do not sin.
Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.’
Listen to this other brother who indicated the following prayer points he would be using as he led his congregation in prayer today:
I’ll pray for the Floyd family, for peace in Minneapolis and around the country, and for justice. I’ll pray for the officers who were fired and the officer who was arrested. I’ll pray for those in our own community who fear this could happen to them. I’ll pray for law enforcement officers in our church, and in general, for courage and restraint. I’ll pray for our society’s divisions to be healed. And I’ll pray that the government would have wisdom to balance and answer the competing claims of justice, security, due process, and freedom of speech [I would add, do good and encourage good].
May we continue urgently before the throne as petitioners for this world, for the impact of the gospel in this world. May we be in the world as peacemakers, as truth speakers, as humble servants doing good where we can to whomever we can – not afraid to speak the truth nor afraid of our own weaknesses being revealed as our confidence is in God’s grace through Christ Jesus. May we be such in the church in how we treat each other and strangers who may come among us, and as such because we above all so worship God and respect His Word.
Together with you in Christ’s service,
John
Your Pastor