Others First

Hello Welling Church family,

The past week has been one of deep turmoil and unrest across the world and in particular, the United States. The death of George Floyd has shaken the U.S. to its core along with many other countries also. It has brought to light many deep-rooted issues, pain, and hurt that some would rather keep in the dark.

In trying to make sense of this situation, I stumbled upon a written response from Tony Dungy — a Christian, father of eleven, author, retired NFL coach, and a black man living in America. His response captures perfectly how I feel at the moment and instead of paraphrasing what he said, let me share his response with you:

America is in a very sad place today. We have seen a man die senselessly, at the hands of the very people who are supposed to be protecting our citizens. We have seen people protest this death by destroying property and dreams of people in their own community, the very people they are protesting for. We have many people pointing fingers of blame, painting the opposite side with a broad brush. We have anger and bitterness winning out over logic and reason. We have distrust and prejudice winning out over love and respect.

What happened to George Floyd was inexcusable and it should never happen. Justice needs to be served, but in seeking justice we can't fall into the trap of prejudging every police officer we see. What started out as peaceful protests have devolved into arson and looting and that should never happen, either. Yes there should be protest. But we do not have license to perform criminal acts because we're angry.

Today we are a divided country. We're divided racially, politically, and socio-economically. And Satan is laughing at us because that is exactly what he wants. Dysfunction, mistrust, and hatred help his kingdom flourish.

Well, what is the answer then? I believe it has to start with those of us who claim to be Christians. We have to come to the forefront and demonstrate the qualities of the One we claim to follow, Jesus Christ. We can't be silent. As Dr. King said many years ago, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere!” But we can’t go forward with judgmental, bitter spirits. We need to be proactive, but do it in the spirit of trying to help make things better. And it can’t be just the African American churches. It has to be ALL churches taking a stand and saying “We are going to be on the forefront of meaningful dialogue and meaningful change.” We have to be willing to speak the truth in love but we have to recognise that we are not fighting against other people. We are fighting against Satan and his kingdom of spiritual darkness.

In the words of the Apostle Paul, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Roman 12:21 NIV

In light of all of this, we must ask ourselves, as followers of Jesus Christ, what would God have us to do? In Micah 6:8, God’s prophet gives us a simple answer: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? 

We are to do justice.

As Christians, we are to stand up for justice. Racism, bigotry, violence, looting, hatred, and revenge in our communities, nation, and even in our churches must be confronted and addressed. 

We are to love kindness.

The Hebrew word for kindness in Micah 6:8 is such a big word — it encapsulates mercy, steadfast love, compassion, and kindness. We are to have hearts of loving mercy and compassion to all, including those who hurt as a result of shameful treatment because of skin-colour or ethnicity.

We are to walk humbly.

As followers of Christ, let us humble ourselves before the Lord and before others. In Philippians 2:3, we are to “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Are we being humble? Is what I am doing in my conversations, thoughts, or social media creating rivalry or conceit, or am I in humility counting others as more significant than myself? Let us be humble enough to listen and learn from those whose life experience is different than our own without sowing the seed of discord.

What can we do as a church?

We can pray. 

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Pray for all the families affected by this, including George Floyd’s family and the police’s families. Pray for the hearts of those violently rioting and looting. Pray for those being looted. Pray for the police, pray for those in leadership, pray for the U.S., pray for our world as it grapples with sin and evil everywhere.

We can make peace.

In Matthew 5:9 Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” When confronted with injustice, racism, or civil unrest, we can make peace and live peaceably with all people regardless of colour or ethnicity.

We can do good.

Romans 12:21 states, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” As a church, we do not seek revenge. We speak up for righteousness but not by doing evil. We oppose racism just as much as we oppose violent rioting. They are both wrong. It is a sin to return evil for evil. Those advocating violence through looting and retaliation are not walking with Christ.

We can walk in the light to expose darkness.

In Ephesians 5:8-16 it states, “8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” This serves as a fresh reminder for all of us to walk in the light of day and not in the darkness of night. Change will happen, but only good and lasting change with come from the light of Christ. Racism is an act of darkness, but additional acts of darkness does not bring the light of Christ.

Of course, this is just a start. More can and should be done. But as we consider our next steps, we must walk and live as Christ would have us walk and live.

One of the blessings of being at Welling Church is that it is a multicultural family of believers gathered around the truth and hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In heaven, all peoples will gather together to worship Almighty God. In Revelation 7:9-10, it declares, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” 

Please continue to pray for what’s happening in the world today and that the light of Christ will shine upon the darkness.

- The Pastors

Join us tonight at 7:00 on Zoom as we discuss this important subject further.