Race, Riots and the Bible

Maintaining the Truth

How else does God’s Word instruct us?

Christians must be truth tellers. As we browse social media, watch the news, and consume images, use discernment. We must be careful about what we hear and what we believe.

The ninth commandment is, “You shalt not bear false testimony against your neighbor.” The Westminster shorter catechism helpfully says, “the ninth commandment requires the promoting and preserving of truth between man and man, especially in witness bearing.”

Christian, promote the truth.

If we cannot find the testimony of at least two or three witnesses, withhold judgment. Christians should press the pause button on sharing ideas that might bear false testimony. We should be slow in judging a specific person, or people group, or protest.

There are many factions that are operating within these riots. There is a lot of disinformation out there. Christians must promote the truth.

So be careful about what you hear. Be careful about what you believe. Be careful about what you say.

God Is at Work

Toward a Christian World View

Lastly, first John 3:24-4:1 says,

24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (NKJV)

God has given us His commandments. God has given us His Word. We should take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Christians should look to his Word to guide us as we try to parse out what we are seeing. We should go to God’s Word as we try to weed through our present situation. We should seek to follow His commands.

As Christians, we should want to bring Him glory. God is at work even in this time of unrest. Might this be a time where I can repent of sin, where you can repent of sin, where our country can finally repent of sin?

People are longing for justice and peace.

Christian, let’s not speak according to the media’s dialogue. Let’s not follow along with the world’s storyline. We can tell where true peace is. Christian, we can bring people to Jesus Christ where they will truly have their hearts overwhelmed with peace.

We can say to our neighbor, “You are right! There is something desperately wrong with this world. But, one day everything will be made new again.”

Brothers and sisters, be angry and do not sin.

Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.

There is a theological trap door be be careful of. God is sovereign. Should that comfort us? Absolutely. Be careful to not fall into the trap of brushing everything under the rug in the name of God’s sovereignty.

Remember that God hates sin. He will punish it.

So will we have our hearts broken? Will the Christian community weep with those who weep?

Will we hate sin? Will we call sin for what it is?

I pray we look to God’s Word to understand what’s going on in our broken times.

This article about race, riots and the Bible originally appeared here.