Thursday, September 22, 2016

Jesus Is the Answer

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.” (Romans 15:5-9 NIV)

The past several days have been like so many others in our nation, except now they are much closer to home.  A man in Charlotte, two hours from where I live, was shot and killed by police.  A day earlier, police killed another man in Tulsa, Oklahoma as well.  What followed, as has happened in other cities, were protests and, in the case of Charlotte, riots.  

People across the country are upset by the way many African-Americans are being treated by police, while others are upset by what they consider unfair criticism of the police who, they say, have a very difficult and dangerous job, in dealing with often a hostile public.  While I have opinions on this, the focus of this space is on Jesus, His Word, and its authority in our lives.  So what does He have to say regarding this volatile issue?  

It is very simple, really, as Paul states in this passage.  We should have the same attitude toward others, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status, as Jesus has towards us.  He values each of us and shows mercy to us all.  In other words, He accepts us as we are and loves us and we should do the same.

But simplicity is always complicated where sin is involved.  Things, as the British love to say, get muddled.  For each of these shootings, there are always different perspectives, reasons given, and excuses made. Justice, regardless of one’s view, is rarely believed to have been served.  And so it will continue to be unless Jesus is seen as, and allowed to be, the solution.

Perhaps many of you see this as too simplistic, but the Word says it is Jesus, and only Jesus, who will set all things right, who will restore them to what they were originally created to be (Revelation 21:3-5). If He is not the answer in Charlotte, in Tulsa, in Baton Rouge, and cities filled with tension across our country, then who or what is?

Today, consider how you view and treat other people.  Do you have the same attitude toward them as Jesus has, as He has toward you—one of acceptance and mercy?  If anything is to change in our country and in our communities, it has to begin with Jesus.  Nothing will truly change without Him.  

© Jim Musser 2016

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