2 Corinthians 12:10 Civil War/Civil Peace
After George Floyd’s death, riots and protests happened worldwide, but mostly in major cities of the United States. The protest was not peaceful but was warlike. Many places of business were destroyed, and many items were stolen. Christians should not be destroying property, hurting others, or stealing big screen tv. Dr. King Jr.’s belief that the language of riots was unheard fell on deaf ears. The rioters’ remark was no justice, no peace. Dr. King’s peaceful protest got him killed. The protester said we will be warlike until we get what we want. What did their violent protest riots accomplish? Ever since the demand to defund the police force, lawlessness has increased, and crimes are happening more and more. Yes, Dr. King was killed, and so was the Lord. Jesus, he preached about. Jesus preached the words blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Children of God do not seek revenge, nor do they take part in violent behavior. The gospel message Jesus preached isn’t dead, nor is the civil rights movement of Dr. King. Dr. King wrote a sermon titled “Paul’s letter to the American Christian.” In an encouraging fashion, Dr. King used Paul’s words to say, welcome the hardship and suffering you will receive. It only means you doing your Father’s God’s will. Let the Lord be your strength during those weak moments. You might get arrested and go to jail or even die. Guess what? Jesus was killed. Paul, a servant of the Lord, went to jail and was executed. You are Christian and if you live Christ-like, you will suffer persecution likewise.
Whenever you take a stand for truth and justice, you are liable to scorn. Often you will be called an impractical idealist or a dangerous radical. Sometimes it might mean going to jail. If such is the case, you must honorably grace the jail with your presence. It might even mean physical death for some. But if physical death is the price that some must pay to free their children from a permanent life of psychological death, then nothing could be more Christian. Don’t worry about persecution, America. You are going to have that if you stand up for a great principle. I can say this with some authority because my life was a continual round of persecutions. After my conversion, I was rejected by the disciples at Jerusalem. Later, I was tried for heresy in Jerusalem. I was jailed at Philippi, beaten at Thessalonica, mobbed at Ephesus, and depressed at Athens. But yet I am still going. I came away from each of these experiences more persuaded than ever before that neither life nor death, angels nor principalities, things present nor things to come shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. I still believe that standing up for the truth of God is the greatest thing in the world. ~ MLK.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but His peace will not exist in the world until Satan is done away with. Peace cannot happen, nor will it happen when seeking it in a warlike manner. Of course, Dr. King died horribly, his wife lost a wonderful husband, and His children lost a lovely father. Dr. King’s pacifist message still carries on. Paul’s letters for the New Testament still preach at most Christian churches. No Justice, no peace is not a good news gospel but a warlike message. The violent protest that happened in 2020 continues to accomplish nothing. Many cities defunded their police force, and lawless criminal acts are increasing more and more. How can American Christians be peaceful and simultaneously share the gospel message but seek revenge? That is simple. Can’t they need a beatitude of humble meekness and being loving like peacemakers? Do they need to love their friends and their enemies? God bless you all; the Prince of Peace loves you, and so do I. His bondservant, Samuel Jerry Head.
