THE DRAGON

Something was deeply wrong with what I was reading and hearing. Several highly visible and recognizable Christian leaders seemed to be uniting with worldly culture in a single voice with a message that did not seem Biblical. Like some of you, I was confused. I am imperfect and there is always room for godly improvement, but something in the messaging seemed to ring more of the accuser than of a healer.

The primary tactic of the enemy of all mankind, Satan, is that of the accuser. We see a picture of this in Zachariah 3 verses one and two.

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”

The Dragon has mastered his role as the accuser. He accuses us to God, God to us, and us to each other. Dividing us from God and one another leaves us vulnerable, isolated, and trapped.

“The Dragon has mastered his role as the accuser. He accuses us to God, God to us, and us to each other.”

Following the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd, a national protest began. Protests, peaceful and otherwise have been a part of the freedom of expression in America since the beginning. This recent protest mobilized quickly around the battle cry for “Social Justice”. What is social justice? Who defines it? When will we know if we have achieved it?

Many Christian influencers jumped on board this protest/movement for social justice right away. Had they taken the time to answer the questions above? It seemed foolish, even dangerous not to answer those crucial questions first before making public statements and encouraging followers and fans to move in a particular direction. In the weeks that have followed, some of the giant Christian influencers that did not get aboard right away have felt pressured to apologize and get on board with the social justice movement.

Nationwide companies and businesses have been bullied through social media to make public statements and give to social justice organizations. bowing to the social justice movement appeared to be the new normal. Local churches and church leadership also felt pressured.

In many cities, the movement turned extremely violent with destruction to public property, small business, assault on police officers that injured hundreds, and resulted in the loss of life for some. In Seatle protesters took contol of a police station and six blocks of the city refusing ot allow police officers into that section of the city.

This movement does not appear to be the kind of movement the church should follow. There are no clear biblical objectives, goals, or outcomes being offered. The objectives listed by the leaders of the movement do not resemble the biblical definition of social justice: https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/ The Church has always been called of God to lead not follow the world. As you read through the social justice manifesto you will see areas where the church has, is, and should be leading in every community but you can also see where the world view that puts God on the list but not at the top, outlines a new set of justice requirements.

These new justice requirements define a host of new societal victims and deliberately dismiss personal responsibility which is a hallmark of biblical scripture:

Galatians 6:5 “ For each one will bear his own load.”

1 Timothy 5:8 “ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. “

2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. “

Deuteronomy 24:16 “Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.”

One more question…

we really need to answer as a church is this: At what point in human history has mankind been able to create a society, village, community, or government that brought about true lasting social justice?  One might respond just because it has not happened does not mean we should give up on trying. The better observation to make is “Why have we not succeeded?” That question brings us back to the mission of the church.

“At what point in human history has mankind been able to create a society, village, community, or government that brought about true lasting social justice?”

Eternal, fair, and righteous justice come from God alone. Since man was chased from the Garden of Eden after the fall, there has never been a government, village, or community that has been free of corruption, injustice, and evil. Tear down the fabric of Western civilization and start again and you will get the same outcome. Why? Because the problem is SIN not SKIN. It is the work of the dragon to divide us from each other and from God. We must not allow this to happen!!!

The Church must lead the way not worldly movements or social justice groups. We have clearly defined biblical guidelines and a biblical mandate…

16 “And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.” (Mark 1:16-19)

“But in your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience…” ( 1 Peter 3:15-16)

Now that the demands of this cultural movement have become clear it is easier to see there is no place for the church to follow, it must lead. The movement has and will continue to demand that it's agenda supersede the Bibles. As the Church, we must stand up for what we believe and embrace and live out the Christian mandate to love one another. Loving one another does not require that we overlook sin it requires we deal with it in our own hearts first and then help our brothers and sisters get free of it themselves. We must tell the truth in love. We must stand up for all lives!