Riots, Race, and the Gospel of the Kingdom

Although Frank’s article below was written in the Summer of 2020, it still has powerful application for today.

So I was in the process of writing an article for this week’s update entitled When Christian Celebrity Leaders Deny the Faith.

But American cities were put to the torch with riots breaking out in the streets.

My planned article, therefore, was hijacked by the riots. Just like COVID-19 seems to have been.

The Virus Crisis game isn’t over. It’s just on halftime right now.

You and I are still going to have to survive it.

Regarding the riots, the USA has seen this movie before, dating back to 1992 in Los Angeles. No, dating back to 1980 in Miami. No wait, dating back to 1965 in Watts. And even before that.

All of these riots were spawned by the same tragedies. Police brutality and/or gross injustice in the American legal system.

Just like you, it was extremely difficult for me to watch a man die mercilessly on live video at the hands of a police officer, even as the man was begging for mercy.

Thoughts and feelings flashed across my being toward that officer that no Jesus-follower should have. I quickly recalled Paul’s words in Romans 12:19 then released those sentiments:

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

When major riots erupted in Ferguson in 2014 and Baltimore in 2015, Derwin Gray and I co-wrote an article together to address God’s people in light of the civil unrest.

You can read it here: A Jesus Response to the Race Problem. It’s just as relevant today as it was when we penned it. Perhaps more.

The kingdom of God knows no injustice, no racism, no inequality, and no cruelty. And the gospel of the kingdom produces a community of people who PUT ON DISPLAY what it looks like when God is in charge. This is one of the many things that the Insurgence has to offer this broken, lost, hostile world.

Beyond the article on the race problem, here’s what I want to encourage you with today.

During this difficult time in history (with the virus crisis, the economic crisis, and now civil unrest), this is a time for EMPATHY.

Empathy is the ability to put ourselves in another’s shoes and feel their distress. Empathy requires careful thought and understanding. It requires listening to others with an open heart.

Jesus Christ is God’s Empathy. He is a man of empathy and compassion, just as He was when He walked this earth in human flesh.

“When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

~ Matthew 9:36

“We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses.”

~ Hebrews 4:15

I encourage you to have empathy for the Floyd family, who lost George in a horrific, needless death.

Empathy for all our black brothers and sisters who have been mistreated and feel anger over a history of oppression. (As well as all other minorities who feel the sting of prejudice and hatred.)

Empathy for all police officers who genuinely care about people, but who are now blotted by the insensitivity, stupidity, and sinfulness of other officers. And who are being mistreated as a result.

Empathy for all the young people who are protesting for a good cause, but who haven’t yet been exposed to THE CAUSE for which to live, stand, march, and die – the gospel of the kingdom. (Would to God that all of them get exposed to the Insurgence. And one day, we’ll see many of them – and many of you who are their peers – in the streets proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom!)

Empathy for those who were injured and/or who lost businesses during the riots.

Empathy for the other police officers who passively watched a man effectively tortured to death. Unless they are all genuine psychopaths void of a conscience, they will live with agonizing regret, despair and remorse the rest of their lives – which is its own hell.

And empathy for anyone else who is hurting and in pain during this difficult time.

By the way, I’ve just described some of you – my readers – who belong to one or more of these groups.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

~ Romans 12:15

So make EMPATHY one of your goals right now. It’s also time to ReGRACE when in conversation with others over social media.

In closing, if you’re new to my work, I invite you to check out The Insurgence Podcast. There are a number of episodes where we discuss racism and social issues. The podcast is gratis.

*** If you’re not subscribed to my Thursday UNFILTERED updates, you can subscribe here. It’s free and comes with a riot shield. Okay, that’s not true, but still, subscribe.

Your brother in mutual empathy,

fv

Psalm 115:1