https://thepreachersword.com/2013/07/18/why-cant-we-all-just-get-along/#more-4315
Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Twenty-two years ago Rodney King became nationally known after being beaten by Los Angeles police officers. The African-American construction worker was on parole for robbery and following a high-speed car chase on March 3, 1991 was caught and beaten unmercifully.
George Holliday, a nearby resident, witnessed the vicious beating and video taped it from his apartment balcony. Mr. King’s plaintive cry was eventually heard around the world “Why can’t we all just get along?
Following the recent riots, vitriolic response and heated rhetoric regarding George Zimmerman’s acquittal for shooting Travyon Martin, a 17-year-old African-American, King’s question still rings in our ears.
Yesterday I wrote about the violence and looting as being an excuse to sin. I shared a story about Devin Dickey who was out jogging and was beaten as retribution for the Zimmerman verdict.
https://thepreachersword.com/2013/07/17/people-looking-for-an-excuse-to-sin/
Responding to the post, one of my readers wrote, “What a terrible thing to happen to Devin. People who are ignorant of the spiritual essence in themselves and in others will continue to do these sorts of things. Will you write a follow-up article with suggestions as to what can be done?
Without commenting on the jury decision for expressing my opinion on the verdict, I think one thing that would solve some of the out of control outrage would be an application of the “golden rule.”
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 7:12)
Looting. Rioting. Property damage. Threats. Beating. None of these would happen if I really treated the other person the way I want to be treated. My anger would be controlled. My vengeance tempered. My outrage checked.
For those who wear the name of Christ, I think there are three important aspects to consider.
(1) We are citizens of a country that is imperfect. Of course that is true of all countries. No society is without shorting comings. No system of government is absolutely perfect. No earthly court can be correct 100% all, of time. And even if it is correct not everyone will agree that justice has been rendered. As Christians, we are to obey law (Rom 13:1). Respect the rulers (1 Pet 2:17). And pray for everyone in positions of authority (I Tim 2:1-2)
(2) Christ did not come to earth to alleviate all social ills and injustices. He came to “seek and save the Lost.” To save us from our sins. To bring us into fellowship with the Father. Christianity was born in the cradle of a culture that was flawed. Immoral. Unethical. Unfair. Women had no rights. People owned slaves. Rulers were tyrannical. Yet the gospel was preached. People were converted. And the Christianity rapidly spread all across the Roman Empire.
When Paul went to Rome he didn’t picket the Palace against the Emperor. Peter didn’t organize a protest rally against slavery. And John didn’t lobby for equal rights for women! They preached Christ. Their mission was spiritual. Their focus was God-ward. And their goal was heaven.
(3) The Gospel brings us together. Jew. Gentile. Slave. Free. Male. Female. “All are one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). We should focus on what unites us, not those things that may divide us.
In a local church family there may be a mixture of races, political affiliations and social positions. Our opinions will differ. But they should not divide. This is true in the trial and verdict of George Zimmerman in the death of Treyvon Martin.
It is heartbreaking for a young person’s life to tragically end. I know. I’ve experienced it my family. Regardless of the reason, it’s never easy. And I’m sure this is especially so in a shooting death. Yet, none of us were there. And even if you watched the trial from beginning to end, honest people may differ about the verdict.
The current furor of this event may subside in a while. Or it may not. But Christians must not allow opinions over politics, racial injustice or jury verdicts to divide us. Let’s be sensitive in the way in which we communicate our personal beliefs. That applies to the pulpit, personal conversations, and social media. Our passion and obsession ought not to be with problems of the world. If you want to passionate about something, be passionate about sharing Jesus!
While the world is divided, let Christians be united in Christ. Life is short. Eternity is forever. And heaven is too wonderful to be missed!
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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