Remember Who You Are & Who You Represent

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(1) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. (2) The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. (3) We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (4) We write this to make our joy complete.’ (1 John 1:1-4)

The current rioting in Los Angeles over the arrest of several illegal aliens, all with extensive and serious criminal records and arrests in their background, is concerning as it could spark a nationwide series of riots, last seen during the ‘most peaceful’ riots of 2020 that started in Minneapolis over the death of George Floyd while in police custody.  In the case of the 2020 riots, a large swath of Minneapolis and other large metropolitan areas across the US were burned and looted, with several people beaten or killed by the rioters.  This last weekend saw the downtown area of Los Angeles swarmed with rioters with some destruction and burning cars and debris in the streets.  Fortunately, only a few have been injured, and no buildings have yet been burned.

We in southwest Florida have been fairly exempt from national protests and riots, but this year there have been several, including a national ‘No Kings’ protest slated in Port Charlotte on Saturday.  While it is unlikely to be any more than loud noises and obnoxious behavior by those participating, it is possible given the recent events in LA that it could turn into some more violent, especially given the recent bussing-in of protestors who do not have a connection of community with us here.

We naturally get annoyed by these events, even if there is some agreement on the issues being protested.  It is also a God-given right to assemble and protest, peacefully, in an attempt to have our voices heard, so while we perhaps should not be so annoyed, the disruption to our calm environment can disturb us, especially if there are outside influences in play.  There is often turmoil when changes are in play – and not all changes are necessarily good or conversely, evil.

Providing context of good changes, we can go into Acts, where we see the change agent of Christianity in play.  To the Romans, the Jews, and in the provinces of Asia Minor and Greece, the disruption of traditional idol worship and the worships of various gods in temples by the Gospel of Jesus spreading through was disturbing to many, like Demitrius in Ephesus and others in Acts 19.  His work as a silversmith, making idols for the false goddess Diana, was greatly affected by the widespread acceptance of the Gospel by the people.  Demitrius created a ‘counter-protest’ to try to stop Paul and his disciples from preaching the Gospel, as was tried by the Pharisees in the trial and crucifixion of Christ and the Jewish attempts to quell Paul’s teaching by following him and working up opposition to him, during his journeys.

The current events are certainly more in line with Demitrius’ attempt to cause a riot as they are against Righteousness, and a legal ruling of man’s law.  A condoning of illegal activity is not in the interests of Righteousness, and we as Christians must be careful not to be unrighteous in our standing for Christ.  The Crusades were in part unrighteous, though for the promotion of Christ, because of the oft-used method of ‘repent and accept Christ or die’.  In the same way, if we decided to confront protestors who we don’t agree with, we run the risk of being unrighteous in our response to them, defeating the cause of the Gospel in having a humanistic emotional response toward them in our disapproval.

Yes, current events are upsetting, to say the least.  But why should we be surprised?  Why should we worry about current events?  (Concern, yes.  Worry, no.)  There has been, and always will be until its end, turmoil on Earth.  There will always be chaos and confusion in the worldly perspective.  But we are Christians, and we follow Jesus.  This Jesus who we follow is consistent, He is same today as He was yesterday as He will be tomorrow. 

In 1 John 1:1-4, the Apostle John is telling us to ‘fall back’ on Jesus, to remember in these times who and what we stand for.  Jesus – who we have heard and seen and have been touched by – is the Eternal Word of Life, who has promised us Eternity with Him, and who we need to proclaim as Lord and Savior to others and, in these times, ourselves; as a reminder for us to remember our testimonies to what we’ve seen how Christ has touched us, and as a warning to others not to get caught up and swallowed in the emotions of the temporary of today, but come to the One with Eternal Life. 

It is OK to speak up and disagree, perhaps one day ‘protest’ for the Gospel, and (as I have said before) we may need to stand tall against the threats of tyranny that are looming like storm clouds on the horizon.  But remember who you really are, and Who (being Jesus) and What (the Gospel) you represent when you stand.  Do it within the spirit and strength of Christ, and speak the Truth, both within the context of current events and of the Gospel, without fear.