Why do some CEOs support protest resulting in destruction and looting of their own stores and some of the American media seem to support protest and riot? It does make dramatic advertising and news stories, so money for them, but there is more. Many now seem to think protest does something. The recent George Floyd protests want to change police brutality, by anger. Does it change anything? If if does change something, is it good, just and right? What should a Christian think?
Christians are incredibly dangerous people, because they are asked to think. Their only weapon is the Word of God. It is an exceedingly dangerous weapon…
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
When going about in a dangerous world, Christians seem to have no defence from injustice, wrong or violence..
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:13-18)
What kind of shield, practically, is faith? It turns out it is the only shield worth having.
The Christ of Christianity said to Peter (after Peter cuts of the ear of an attacker, and Christ heals the attacker),
“Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)
It is said specifically of Christ that he never led a protest!
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. (Mat 12:18-19)
Yet he changed the world! The Word of God and the words of Christ are in every language, that all may read it – if they chose. The leaders of the day tried to snuff out Christ's message by crucifixion, but the resurrection on the first day, with eyewitnesses who with the power of miracles shared the message defeated their efforts. Because the Word of God goes forth quietly, and it changes radically, quietly.
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)
So will we change the world by shouting on a street? Can any bring justice, by the injustice of mass-mobs as kangaroo courts shouting their verdict, before there is even a trial? We can do nothing by might and by power. What if it be of God?
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? (Ecclesiates 7:13)
Then we are told something very sobering, considering that Israel only suffered evil in times when they gave up the Covenant with God and worshipped things they made instead of Yahweh their Elohim (He Who Will be Mighty Ones),
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? (Amos 3:6)
What physical defence do we need? Will a steel shield save us from evil brought by the God of the Bible to a city? - imagine great power to move even nature, the very heavens and also violent people (such as the Assyrians were) to punish those who have no faith. Can any stand against that kind of Power? But consider the other side, the power of protection of the Creator.
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. (2Samuel 22:2-3)
So shall we stand to shout and protest against injustice? We might be shouting for all our lives as where is there justice? It is clear the rich prosper in law and the poor do not! Is there any truly just rule? That is why this passage from Isaiah has stood for all those years since it was written as making right judgement is the testament to a miracle leader, the Messiah.
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. (Isaiah 11:2-5)
Has there ever been any justice on earth, ever, that is true and not biased in some way? Can the truth of matter ever be fully established if most lie and are false witnesses? Can the poor ever be treated as just 'people' – not favoured or neglected because they are poor? So the wise law is there for all to see:
Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. (Lev 19:14-15
So was that standard kept? Well Judea in the time of Christ was supposedly keeping that just law- but listen to James!
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? (Jamess 2:5-6)
So you think after 2,000 years things can be different, if a large enough peaceful mob angrily waves placards and shouts for justice? How much research is done before the shouting in protest? In the matter of George Floyd, who took time to do more than react to some few minutes of footage - none knew anything of the situation leading to the footage which in that case would mark a line between murder and manslaughter. In the law of Moses and the law of any just society, they had to investigate the motives. This is context and it may materially alter the situation. If on even the smallest matter lawyers can take days and days to consider carefully gathered evidence, can we make a just judgement on a page summary or a few minutes of biased emotive news? Let a wise man make us think!
Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? (John 7:50-51)
Let us ask, who gives Justice?
Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. (Proverbs 19:6)
But we are told something that should make us think,
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD. (Proverbs 29:25-26)
Let us think on that. Let us consider the terrible justice meted out to Daniel the prophet, put by manipulation of the law in the lions den to die by those who hated him. What was done to sort out a miscarriage of justice?
Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. (Daniel 6:19-24)
There can be no miscarriage of justice that prospers, towards those who trust in the God of the Bible. The matter is not of this life but eternal life. Some are as in the time od Daniel dealt with at the time, some may have to wait.
Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after (1 Timothy 5:24)
When our Lord spoke to those Judean leaders who seemed to prosper in overcoming him - he pointed to the future judgement telling them they were setting themselves up for a terrible trial that would lead to weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt 8:12, 22:13,24:51, 25:30. Luke 13:28)
We can be sure that no matter what, if we are Servants of the Living God, we will be heard.
The Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:6-8)
Here I come to my own experience in life dealing with authority. Many times I have felt that the humble have been treated poorly with callous disregard, oppressed by Authority. I have seen the wealthy and powerful treated well by the same so called 'public servant', almost bowing to them. I saw it with my own eyes. I have seen racism, where the poor of ethnic background in trying to house their 'ewe lamb' personal business by their own house was told all sorts of wrong and absurd hurdles as 'laws' to force them to sell to a more wealthy developer. So do we protest or do we consider. Here we learn wisdom.. and then also,
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. (Ecclesiates 5:8)
There is oppression, and perverting of judgement, but we mistake the matter if we do not realise that all is overseen – and judged.
At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shall have wars. (2Chronicles 16:7-9)
In every case where there has been a barrier there was a reason for it. One client later reported to me how what had seemed a wrong, irrational call by authority prevented them from building in one place, but turned to their best good. We don't know why things are, but we may consider that the Highest of the High regards it and who knows as to how things may be directed.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:27-28)
So then shall those who neither daily seek the Word of God and the protection of the God of the Bible see good? Will all things work for good for them? Shall they be given just judges?
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. (3John 1:11)
If the world is full of the people who have not 'seen God', shall they do good to each other? But in Christ all have peace – no matter what is going on in the world or how full of the type who have not 'seen God'!
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Yet for those that have 'seen God' , there is a favour that is more effective than steel -as a shield about them.
For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12)
And
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:29-31)
There is the whole of Revelation to show how the God of the Bible brought punishment upon those who persecuted the Servants of Christ. (Revelations 16:6)
But the very last thing we do as Christians is shout and scream against Authority – Did Christ? No he submitted to the Power of the hour of Darkness to death. The Apostle Paul who was to die at the hands of the Romans, said of those very Romans that they be prayed for!
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1Timothy 2:1-4)
We are told not to sleep (which means to take Opiod drugs!). We are told by Paul who was to die at the hands of Authority – to be subject to Authority and always be a model citizen in behaviour. Paul was subject to the Authorities of his day, to his death – as was his Lord, our Leader.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shall have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Romans 13:1-7)
