Special Feature | Perilous Times

The recent death of George Floyd, an African American, while being arrested by police outside a store in Minneapolis, has sparked protests in several US cities. These protests have frequently turned violent, involving confrontations with police, looting, destruction of property. Mr. Floyd was being arrested under suspicion of attempting to pass a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. These riots / protests have added one more critical event to an already tumultuous 2020. In watching these events unfold, three scriptural principles should remain in the forefront of our minds.

The brethren of Christ cannot harbor prejudices or condone racism. The only critical distinction of consequence for believers is those within the household and those without the household of faith; those that are made nigh by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13) and those having no hope, and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12). We are told that God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) and we should be like-minded. The world evaluates and values individuals according to race, ethnicity, status, and gender, but we know that such thinking is wrong (James 2:1-9).

The world is inherently unjust. Key within these events is the unfairness of society. This is not a surprise to believers. We are told that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12), and that God puts the basest of men in charge of the kingdoms of men (Daniel 4:17).

We are not to be involved in politics and social issues. Regardless of our initial reactions to these events, ranging from empathy to disgust with violence, we must remain outside politics and societal issues. Our friendship and obligation belong to God and His Son and not to this world (James 4:4). The world will not heal itself. The deliverance of this world from evil will only come with the return of Christ.

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For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 4:1-3

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Josh Vest, Carmel, IN