So, Now What?

The issue of addressing injustices will always be on the human agenda. This is because of the imperfections of individuals within community and society as a whole. This does not negate the fact that God cares for the widow, orphan, and oppressed. Every decent or moral-leaning society should address as best as possible these problems and others. But the limitations of the secular move to address these matters are far more impotent than the ability of the people of God to do so. These matters will not be conquered by celebrity or cash. And although Christian and civil disobedience have made critical impact in the life of our own nation, the goal and glory of God is that people are changed from the inside out in order to worship Him. 

If we are His children and representatives on this planet, then we must abide by His instructions regarding varying injustices and their potential remedy. Part of the problem with this is that the people of God often prefer to just do ‘something’ rather than not anything. And when doing just ‘something’ rather than not anything produces close to nothing, we pat ourselves on the back and keep doing ‘something’ rather than what God prescribes as the answer. So, while we gear up for protests, marches, writing letters of our stated positions, and holding councils and panel discussions to attempt to bring unity out of divisiveness, let us take seriously our newest efforts to address injustices. We have done all these things, and I am sure that we can find some good as a result. But, let me ask the question, “Aren’t you tired of seeing the same thing with the same results and with little progress in the human condition?” We can almost guess what the next steps will be for secular action and unfortunately, it is similar to what the Christian community will prop up as an answer as well.

Please let me suggest what we all in Christian community could state as the answer, but often leave the response wanting because of the cost and time it will demand: building relationships in community through biblical discipleship. The injustice concerning race in our nation demands that the church commit to the task and stop giving it lip service. Ethnic relations would find bridges of unity through authentic life-on-life sustained communications. The truth of only one race would be realized if churches would not settle for the diverse look on Sunday which appears that there is ethnic unity although we never see one another outside of a church scheduled event. For example, “Do you know the extended families of other ethnicities in your church?” Discipleship goes further than that. Our whole lives must be open to one another. I have to end here, but let’s realize that Jesus’ answer to unite humanity under the love of God still stands, “Make disciples of all people groups, ethnicities!” You know the text (Matthew 28:18-20). Are you living out its truth?  Have you ever lived out its truth outside your own affinity group? Can someone model your life in obedience to this open life demand? Racial reconciliation is a by-product of this kind of life. The answer may lie in the simple obedience to this answer that has been there all along.