… Lives Matter

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red, brown, yellow, black and white,
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

This song is sung in thousands of churches around the world as well-meaning leaders strive to teach the children that God loves everyone.  Have you sung this song?

The news is becoming ever more concentrated on the racial barriers that separate our world. Within our own country, one in which a civil war was fought and won to grant equality to all people, we see more division each day as story after story is told with explanations that point to racial causes.

White police officers shoot black men. A black president governs white people. Riots begin because of racial tension. “Black lives matter” is a movement now, and they are offended by people who say “police lives matter” or “all lives matter”. What is wrong with this picture?

I believe that every single person has the right to be treated with respect. I also believe that some people forfeit that right by their own actions. But their life still matters. People make mistakes, but their lives still matter.

God doesn’t rejoice when a lost person dies – He mourns. Shouldn’t we?

As long as we keep calling people white or black or brown or any other racial denomination we will never find the peace that Jesus desires for this world. Racism is a childish mentality in a world that claims to be enlightened and educated.

Even in the church there are still seeds of racism. I know people who still judge others who choose to marry inter racially. Many of us still struggle, due to the indoctrination of our upbringings, to leave off the color when describing another person – especially one who is of a different race than us.

God does not show favoritism. God wants life for all mankind – not just physical life, but the real, eternal life.

It’s time to stop saying “black lives matter” or “all lives matter” and start living like they do.

Recently, a Tulsa police officer shot another human being and killed him. I hurt for the family of the dead man. I hurt for the police officer. I hurt for our nation that is using this event and others like it to bring about a resurgence of racism. Have you prayed for those on both sides of this tragedy? Have you prayed for our nation?

Jesus came to ensure that all people could have salvation regardless of race (Jew or Gentile). Most of the New Testament urges the church, over and over again, to put racial differences aside and seek peace and unity. Paul would even confront Peter publicly over his racist actions. He would also write, “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everybody.”

If you are a follower of Jesus, then you don’t have any right to racist thoughts or actions.

How can we fix it? How can we stop this trend?

Start by putting all color-identification language out of your vocabulary. Don’t give in to the rhetoric of the mainstream media who seems to be reveling in this new constantly-controversial racism movement. Choose to speak and act to everyone with love regardless of race. And most of all, stop choosing sides on every issue. Most of the  time you don’t have all the information to make an educated decision anyway.

We are the church that belongs to Jesus that is global and inclusive of all nations, races, genders and statuses. May we be the voice of a new trend that simply says “I love you” no matter who “you” happens to be.

The Politics of Jesus: His Real Message

I’m writing this on Election Week. All over the country people will be flocking to the polls to vote for the person they think will best run their country, state, and county. It is a grand privilege and right of every American to exercise the freedom to vote. I hope you did.

Thinking about elections, however, makes me think about Jesus.

What did He preach? Many people think that Jesus went around merely preaching that people should do good and doing good himself. When people think about Jesus they regard him as a nice man who taught many good philosophies on how to live life to the fullest. They think of all the miracles he did and are amazed at the power.

Many people think Jesus went around preaching that people should come to him. I mean, isn’t that what most churches are preaching these days? People should turn to Jesus. It’s almost like we think he was campaigning for three years. Vote for Jesus!

Look at the central event of his life – his crucifixion. Why was he crucified? Would people kill someone for doing good and being nice? Would people put someone on trial for obvious miracles? Would people kill a man preaching about philosophies of peace and unity and “love your enemy”?

No. Jesus wasn’t crucified for any of these things.

Perhaps Jesus was preaching a message of salvation to everyone that was different from the religions of the world? Maybe he was killed because of the religious implications of the messages he taught. No, this is not the case, either.

Jesus had one central sermon in his ministry, and it was the same message as his cousin, John.

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Mark 1:15)

Jesus was crucified because he was preaching a kingdom that was different than any other kingdom of the day. Indeed, it is different than any kingdom that exists today.

The Jewish leaders didn’t like it because it presented a different role for them. In this kingdom they didn’t have the power to manipulate and control the lower people. In this kingdom the people truly had freedom. In this kingdom, religion wasn’t as important as they had made it out to be. Their presuppositions on how a person had to live in order to serve God were shattered.

The Roman leaders didn’t like this kingdom either. Sure, this was a peaceful movement, but the Caesar was the king of the known world. How dare they claim another king and claim allegiance to another kingdom. That was treason!

Over and over Jesus preached this message of the kingdom. Then, when he was crucified, Pilate had his title posted over his head on the cross: “King of the Jews”.

For centuries people have taught about this kingdom, but many get it wrong. Many people are waiting for the kingdom to be established when Jesus comes back and reigns on the earth for a thousand years. This is very similar to what the Jews were looking for in their messiah. However, Jesus tried to correct them over and over.

At one time someone asked Jesus where the kingdom will be, and Jesus taught that it wasn’t a physical kingdom. Rather, it was among and within the people who were the citizens. This was a kingdom with no borders.

Another time Jesus urged the people to watch for the kingdom because it would come before those who were there listening to Jesus would die. So, either the kingdom is here, or there are some really old people still living somewhere on the planet.

In Colossians 1, Paul reminds them that they have already been brought into the kingdom.

So, if you’ve been washed by the blood of the lamb, then you are no longer a citizen of the country you live in. Your primary residence is in the kingdom of heaven. But that residency starts now. You are called to live as that citizen with God as your King.

You are promised the kingdom as your inheritance. You are princes and princesses with Jesus of the kingdom. Jesus is your brother, and God is your Father.

As you plan and prepare for your time as a citizen of whatever country you live in, remember that it is a tertiary residency. Your primary allegiance is to the Father, your King. How you live here and now should reflect that.

May you live as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven, and may your life reflect that citizenship. Blessings to you, the citizens of God’s kingdom.