He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord. ~ Proverbs 17:15
I don't start off with this verse to condemn anyone, but rather show that we all fall short, to specifically point out something that is being done, and to show why it is unchristian. For the sake of growth and to spur each other on towards righteousness, do I attempt to write on this topic.
Social media and the news has been filled recently with polarized views of our nation. Namely, regarding the current unrest between police brutality and rioting.
Each side has claimed to be the "good" in their own "good v. evil" view of these current events. As Proverbs says, "all the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes" (16:2a). This is splitting the country into two very polarized mindsets, neither of which are inherently Christian. The following is a very generalized summary of what I have seen from various members of both political parties:
The conservative right has taken to idolizing the police force and vilifying the rioters for destruction of property. They make martyrs of those law enforcement officers who have been hurt or killed while on duty, yet mentioning that the murders of black men and women were their own fault.
Inversely, the liberal left has been pushing to defund or disband the police who have been responsible for over six hundred of deaths this so far year (Statsia Research). They back the Black Lives Matter movement and remember the unarmed men and women who have died very reverently.
Both extreme ends are very vocal about honoring their fallen, but are even more vocal to tear down the opposing view. Each ignoring the good of both sides and focusing solely on the bad. Obviously, not all police officers are murders and power-abusive. Yet we cannot ignore that some are. Similarly, the Black Lives Matter movement isn't synonymous with the looters who have stolen and destroyed. Each side has their bad simply because we all are human and fall short.
The problem occurs when we fail to see that, or become indifferent to it simply because someone represents the side we are on. As I have claimed in a previous opinion article, I do not believe Christians should be pulled to these extreme ends of the political spectrum. Instead, we need to be rooted in Christ and His word.
If we look at the character of Christ, we see very clearly that he cares for the poor and oppressed (Luke 4:18-19). He hangs out with the outcast, those not accepted by the religious elites (Luke 19:7). Jesus protested, but only when he was shifting the focus back on God (Matthew 21:12). He expressively was non-violent when under threat (John 18:11).
Now, we can't be Jesus. We can't respond in the way he did all the time. However, as Christians we are called to strive for this righteousness. To pursue God which—to bring up Proverbs again—is the beginning of wisdom. Christians are called to preserve and protect life (Exodus 20:13), this means any death, on any side, is worth mourning. We cannot simply condone killing because someone is on our opposing side.
Christians, we have to love more than we hate. We have to show mercy regardless of what side of the fight we may be on. We have to seek Christ and listen to his word, not advance our political side or to condemn others, but to shift the focus back on God. "The side of a humble servant of God and seeking to understand his will is the safest side to be on."
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
~Micah 6:8
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