Responding to racism, injustice and oppression
From Andrew Plett, Lead Pastor:
Like all of you I have struggled with everything happening in our world right now as it relates to racism and oppression. I have experienced deep grief, sadness, anger, frustration and the feeling of helplessness. Like you I have been at a loss for words and I have been fighting to fix my eyes on Jesus instead of the media or my social feeds. I have been fighting to allow his voice to be the loudest in my heart, to take time to listen to his counsel and instruction for me – but it has been hard. I’ve committed to listening, watching, grieving and inviting God to search my own heart and test my concerns. (Psalm 139:23)
My loss for words thus far isn’t the product of fear, or a disregard for the realities of racism and injustice. There is a weight and heaviness to this that we must sit in and wrestle with God about. Some may have interpreted my silence as a dismissal of the importance of these days, or an endorsement to turn a blind eye. Neither of these are true or reflect my heart on the matter, racism, oppression of the vulnerable or the exploitation of the weak are never acceptable, they are sinful and oppose the Kingdom of God. So, what does the bible have to say about what is happening today?
RACISM AND OPPRESSION ARE SINFUL & DEMONIC
They are tools of the kingdom of darkness and its leader, Satan, not of God. Satan has come to “steal, kill and destroy” but Jesus came to give “life and life abundantly” (John 10:10)
GOD CARES ABOUT INJUSTICE, HE HATES IT. HE IS THE PROTECTOR OF THE OPPRESSED. HE WILL BRING JUSTICE TO INJUSTICE.
The bible is clear that God is just and those who oppress the vulnerable, distort justice, shed innocent blood and deprive the needy of justice or rob the oppressed of their rights will come under the hand of God himself. (Prov 6:16-19; Ps 12:5; Isaiah 10:1-3; 2 Thess 1:6-7; Mal 3:5; 1 Thess 4:6; Rom 12:19, 13:4) Our hope is not in a politician, political party, activist group or our own sense of justice. Our only hope is in Jesus. We can trust in him and the reality that he sees injustice, he hears the cries of those who suffer racism, oppression and exploitation and HE WILL bring justice.
GOD DOES SEE COLOUR AND DIVERSITY. HE CREATED IT, LOVES IT AND CELEBRATES IT.
Although the heart behind statements like “God only sees one race, the human race” and “God only sees one colour” are good, I am reminded that the unique gifting, calling, strength, and contribution of every tribe, langue, nation and people group are God’s idea, and has no intention to do away with them. The bible teaches that in heaven there won’t be a removal of national identity, race, language and culture, they will actually be amplified. Both Revelation 7:9; 21:24 talk about the nations and kings of the earth bringing “their glory” into the New Jerusalem. I believe that the glory and wealth of the nations are a representation of the best of their unique gifting and culture that God has given them to glorify him and magnify his majesty on the earth. God has no plans to eradicate diversity, he designed it. It is Satan who exploits our insecurity-filling our hearts with jealousy, pride, envy, comparison and hatred. These are the birthplaces of racism and oppression.
THE ROOT OF THIS IS IN THE HUMAN HEART. WE CAN’T CHANGE THE HEART, ONLY GOD CAN CHANGE A PERSONS HEART.
The prophet Jeremiah said “The heart is more wicked than anything else, and incurable.” (Jer 17:9) In Matthew 15:19 Jesus said “For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slander.” We cannot adequately address racism and oppression without addressing the heart, and the bible teaches that God alone can change us by taking our heart of stone and giving us one of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:18; 36:26-27)
It was Solomon who said “Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Prov 4:23) We cannot single handedly change our world as individuals, but we can be sure that change will never happen unless it begins in our hearts first. God cares deeply about racism, injustice and oppression and He opposes the pride, entitlement, jealousy, insecurity, hatred and violence that are at the root of these sins. God sees, hears and he will act with justice on behalf of the vulnerable and oppressed. God also cares about how our heart processes all of this. In Proverbs 24:17 Solomon says “Don’t gloat when your enemy falls, and don’t let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, or the Lord will see, be displeased and turn his wrath away from him. James writes and tells us to be patient and allow God to be the one who judges so that we won’t ourselves be judged. (James 5:7-11) The Apostle Paul writes “Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord…Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” (Rom 12:19, 21) Jesus says “Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27)
Today, you and I are called to examine our own hearts for areas of pride, entitlement, anger, racism, prejudice, hatred, and anything else sinful that God is opposed to. We also are called to love our enemies and pray for them. We are called to bless those who curse us, pray for those who mistreat us and refuse to be conquered by evil in our own hurt. I want to encourage you today to examine your heart, allow Jesus to bring conviction to your own life and then take time to pray not only for the oppressed, but for God’s love, grace and mercy for the oppressor. This is how we combat the work of the devil in our own heart and in our culture.