There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:18, ESV
Few people can argue that 2020 has been one of the most turbulent years in recent memory. In fact, the disruption to the life of our family and church family is the main reason that I have not posted anything in several weeks. But, ours is not the only lives that have been changed in recent days. The family and friends of George Floyd have lost someone that was very precious to them, and the pain and scars of his unnecessary and brutal death will not heal quickly. To compound the problem, there are those individuals and groups who have taken the peaceful protests and rallies that were started to bring attention to Mr. Floyd’s, yes, I will say it, murder and the racism that persists in this nation, and they have turned it into an opportunity to do evil themselves despite Mr. Floyd’s family making clear and persistent pleas for the violence to stop. This violence does not help the cause for bringing an end to the evil that is at the heart of Mr. Floyd’s death, and frankly, neither do the hollow speeches and social media posts of so many celebrities and politicians. Let’s face it, neither will the legislation that many are calling for because at the end of the day, legislation does not affect the point of origin for the hatred and fear at the root of racism because legislation does not change the heart.
Jesus said in the gospel of Matthew, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (15:18-19). At the end of the day, the problem is not a broken judicial, educational, or financial system, it is the wicked hearts of wicked people. A person’s actions are simply an expression of who he or she is at heart. So, if society is to change, it must begin with a heart change of the people who make up that society. Unfortunately, that is often easier said than done. The heart is the seat of the human will. It is in the heart that the person’s goals, dreams, plans, desires, and biases that make up their identity reside. As a result, the heart is often the part of a person’s life that is very guarded. People behave as though what’s in the heart must be protected at all costs because of its close association to their identity. This is true no matter if what is in a person’s heart is good or evil, self-serving or selfless. So, how can a person’s heart be changed?
First, people have to turn to Christ. Some would say that this is not true and that religion only makes things worse. To those I would say that religion does make things worse especially when one religion tries to impose their beliefs upon others who have differing beliefs. Such an imposition will only breed more hatred in the heart of those who are the recipients of such religious oppression. So, I am not talking about religious oppression. I am not talking about forcing a religion anyone, but I am inviting and encouraging people to enter into a relationship with Christ who taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), and to love even our enemies and those who persecute us (Matthew 5:43-44). When a person gives their life to Christ, God changes who he or she is. He changes his or her identity by removing the sin and replacing it with His very presence through His Spirit. The apostle Paul reminded the church at Corinth, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). If you would like to know more about beginning a relationship with Christ, contact me and I will be glad to talk you through it.
The second thing that must take place is that individuals have to see that we are all human and we are all equal recipients of God’s love, and therefore we should love one another regardless of the characteristics that we have chosen to divide over. It’s amazing when a person allows themselves to look beyond another person’s race, nationality, or socioeconomic station, that they see that the person that he or she held in contempt for so long really has many of the same wants and dreams as anyone else. Now is the time to reach out to that person who looks or sounds different from you and build a relationship with that person and really get to know them as a person. Let the love of Christ shine through you and cast out the fear (1 John 4:18) that has held you back from being the person that Christ died for you to be and the person that this world desperately needs right now.
If we will take these two steps, it may not immediately change the world, but it will change us, and that’s a start.
Scripture-Driven Life 