As a Christian, it is my job to be the first to stand up for those who are being oppressed.
As a white person, I will never fully understand the difficulties that my black brothers and sisters go through on a regular basis. But what I do understand is that as a Christian, it is my duty to seek justice and to love everyone I encounter.
With the recent news of George Floyd’s murder heavy on my heart, I wanted to write about a few reasons why Christians should care so deeply about issues like this.
Jesus strove to break racial barriers.
John 4 tells us the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. Jews and Samaritans were enemies; to hold a conversation with one was unthinkable.
Instead, Jesus chose to trust this woman by asking her for water, and gave his time so that she could find life.
In Matthew 8, we see Jesus talking to a Roman commander. Again, Jews and Romans were enemies. And yet, Jesus was amazed by this man’s faith. He admired the way that this man trust him. And he healed his servant.
As CHRISTians, we are called to be Christ-like. This includes breaking racial barriers and caring for every person we encounter.
It is our command to love our neighbour and speak up for the oppressed.
Proverbs 31:8-9 says “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”
Those words are very clear. Ensure justice. Speak up for the poor and helpless. Be a voice for the voiceless.
As followers of Christ, we should be the first to seek justice for others.
The second GREATEST commandment that we were given by Jesus was to “Love your neighbour as yourself”.
This means that every person we encounter is to be loved in whatever capacity God has called us to do so.
Every human is created in God’s image.
Every human being is valuable and loved by God. Not only that, but we were expressly made in the image of God- crafted in our mothers’ wombs and designed with purpose and intention. Black, white, Asian, male, female. Instead of having race divide us, I believe that the church should unite as the body of Christ- different and beautiful and messy and in awe of the one we are called to worship.
One day, each of us will be held accountable for how we treated those around us- or for how we failed to act. It may feel easier to sit on the sidelines, but until Jesus comes back, there will be injustice and people who need to be loved. Let’s choose to love people. Break the barriers. And stand side by side with those who are being crushed.
Thoughts From a Tree 