As I’ve watched current events unfold over the past few weeks, my heart has been deeply grieved over injustices, the misunderstandings from various communities, and the blatant murders of innocent lives. Michael Brown and the incidents that transpired in Ferguson recently sent the nation into an uproar. Then a few weeks later, the lack of a jury indictment for Eric Garner caused more tension and strife, and most recently, the killing of two innocent NYPD officers in Brooklyn have all fueled the fire for some heated conversations and even harsher actions in the nation.

The incidents over the past few months have pitted one group of people against another, and it is clear that as much as we would like to sweep these deeper, uglier issues under the rug and pretend like we’ve solved them, the fact of the matter is that we cannot. The roots of racial tension are as old as time itself. Racism isn’t a new struggle, and it must be addressed by evangelical Christians.

Throughout history, humans have sought to marginalize one another. You don’t have to look further than the past two hundred years of history to acknowledge this fact. The Holocaust, in which over six million Jews were murdered, the fact that more black babies are aborted in New York City than born alive. Racial tensions in America, women in the Middle East being abused, raped, and treated as property. The list of injustices humans do to one another is long and heartbreaking.

Regardless of the color of your skin, the work uniform you wear, the neighborhood you live in, the amount of money in your bank account, or what you’ve done in your past…..

Every single human life has value and matters

The problems are complex, but at the root of all their strife there must be a basic respect for the lives of all humans. I firmly believe when we begin to operate under this simple, yet profound, worldview we can make great leaps forward in healing the deep wounds and subsequently treating all humans with respect and dignity. We live in a fallen world, but as Christians we are commanded to love one another.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35

Dear one, loving one another as Christ loves can be one of the hardest things to do. When the hurt runs deep, when the pain is overwhelming, when bitterness and anger threaten to overshadow your heart, how will you respond? The issues of our world are difficult and complex, and I’m not naive enough to think that if we all “just love each other”, everything will be okay. Sin has marred the world, and until Christ returns, the world will not be redeemed and restored fully. However, Christians can choose to love one another with the costly, authentic and deep love of God.

A few thoughts for Christians as they engage the culture:

1) Don’t be afraid to wrestle with the difficult issues.

Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, people don’t always love one another, or treat one another with decency and respect. A Christian must grapple with the difficult issues in life –  how to appropriately and Biblically respond to same-sex marriages, abortion, racial tension, etc. These issues exist in our world, and as Christ’s representatives, we must be ready to answer these difficult questions with love, truth and Scripture. Engage your church, talk with your pastor, search the scriptures, ask the Lord to open your eyes, read good books on the topics, etc.

2) Remember that all life has intrinsic value.

Every person on the planet is created in the image of God, thus they are innately deserving of respect and dignity. Christians must seek to love and seek the well-being of all humans, because every human is an image bearer of the King. When the devil tries everything in his power to destroy, we must be on the front lines declaring that each life is valuable, treasured and must be protected.

3) Be bold!

Christian, you will give an account for your words and actions, or lack thereof. Spend your life making the name of Christ known among all men. Speak up for the injustices, don’t be afraid to lovingly confront the difficult issues of our day with truth. Sure, it might cost you something, people might say hurtful things, but if we don’t stand up and speak truth, who will?

We cannot remain silent, we cannot remain neutral. 

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” – Bonhoeffer.

 ” In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

– John 16:33

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