Ambassadors for Christ

I must confess, I have barely seen the news over the past few months. Because I could not discern what truth was, I felt I could not allow the network news coverage to be my source of what is happening around me. So ironically, I get my news through word of mouth and boy have I heard from everyone this week. I could not believe that we have had another American citizen killed due to excessive force by a Law Enforcement member. These men and women are sworn “to serve and protect” the American citizen by upholding the laws that govern our great nation. I believe that 99% of those willing to serve are doing just that, “protecting and serving.” But it is the 1% that is tainting the image we have of our protectors and I can only imagine how frustrated and disheartened the 99% must feel at this point.

However, it is the 99% that are sent out to face the protestors and to keep law & order during an emotional time like this. I know in my heart that nearly all of those men and women in uniform stand side by side in their riot gear hoping the protests remain peaceful and that everyone goes home to their families unharmed. Many of you know someone who serves in blue and some of you may know someone who was unjustly mistreated by the Police. But how did we get here? Why has the value of life been diminished so much?  As a nation, when did Law and Order become so misguided?

Please know this, I believe the protesting is necessary to demand change in how we evaluate the men and women who are entrusted to protect us. I believe there are bad people in all professions.  There are some bad Doctors, teachers, lawyers, etc. and the Police Force is no different than any other profession. But everyone must take responsibility for this social imbalance. In 1 John 3:1, we are reminded how much the FATHER loves us, that we are called “Children of GOD” and in Acts 17:26, we are told that we are all descendants from one blood (Adam’s). No matter where you may fall on this national event, we are all descendants of Adam and we are all considered “Children of GOD.”

With all the anxiety swirling around this civil uprising, including my Dentist when she found out there would be a demonstration in Mount Holly later that day, how do you see the demonstrators? How do you view the Police Officers? And how do you feel about the violence being displayed on both sides of the line? For me, I see a wedge digging deeper into this Nation’s unity. In Matthew 12:25, Jesus is being accused by the Pharisees of being in league with Satan and Jesus answers “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”  On His WORD, I believe this country will not stand divided against itself.

To listen to both sides of this debate, I hear a lot of “them” and “us” mixed in with a lot of anger. Who is “them” and how do you define “us”?  These words seem to be a generalization of the opposite side (them) and your unity with your side (us).  But who exactly are we describing? I ask you to step back to elementary school and remember your classmates. Remember starting first grade and you had all these new kids looking at you with same look of trepidation as you must have had on your face. Think about it for a moment, do you remember thinking of their race, gender preference, body shape, looks, religion, or nationality? When I started 1st grade in 1971 I was the minority in my school and I believe that was the best thing that every happened to me. I learned at a very early age to base my friendship on the person inside the “suit” and not the “suit.”  In 1 Samuel 16:7, GOD sent Samuel to gather Jesse and his sons so that GOD could tell Samuel who will succeed King Saul. GOD spoke “But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” That is how we should see one another, not a uniform, not a skin color, and certainly not what others may say about “them.”

In Romans 10:11-13, Paul is stating there are no distinctions (differences) between us all, for verse 13 states for “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” We are all sinners appointed to die and stand before GOD for judgement, but we all are given the same opportunity to accept Jesus Christ’s path of salvation if we would just believe. So how does a well-organized peaceful demonstration start out in the daylight, with fellow citizens holding up signs asking for change and unity for the people, yet turns to violence in the darkness and property/people are damaged. There is no coincidence that the violence begins when the light has gone down. So what is our Christian duties during a time such as this?

Make it about Christ – Don’t run into this with your opinions and what you want changed. Colossians 3:8-11 states, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.”

Seek GOD’S WORD - In Romans 16, Paul is warning the people to be careful around those “who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”  If what you are hearing or seeing is contrary to GOD’S WORD, then avoid them for they do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ.

Be Church United – In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul pleaded with the Corinth Church body to come together and stop their in-fighting. “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”  We must have no divisions within the Church Nation. If we are to be “Christ-Like” and speak the WORD, then how can we be divided?

Approach in a Gentle Spirit – In Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” The key word is “gentleness” in how you approach those who are hurting over this division. As Christ’s representative we need only read the New Testament to understand how Our Lord and Savior approached the hurting.  Jesus did not limit his teachings to a select group. We are to have brotherly love for one another and only through that Agape love can we stop this division.

Pray for GOD’S PLAN – In Jeremiah 29:11 we are reminded, “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. We should pray for GOD”S Will be done and pray that you may serve Him, especially in these times.

Finally, be “Ambassadors for Christ.”  In 2 Corinthians 5: 20-21, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  There is no greater responsibility we have then to be the “light” that so many need right now. We need to profess our salvation to others and show them our faith in Jesus Christ to guide us through this storm so that they may know Him and have love in their hearts.  For that is how we should be looking at one another, not by outward appearance, but what is in our hearts.