People
identifying as Christian, you can't say you love God and are committed to
following Jesus while ignoring the cause of the pain, suffering and injustice
experienced by oppressed people.
You can't say you love God and are committed to following Jesus
while blaming the powerless who are paralyzed by their plight and praising the
powerful for maintaining the debilitating divide of haves–have nots.
The system IS rigged! The so–called majority have advantaged
themselves since 1619 – the advent of slavery. The so–called minority continues
the struggle, having to fight to gain their universal birthright, freedom–liberty.
People identifying as Christian, if you believe humans were
created in the image of God and that Jesus taught the universality of love,
equity and equality for every human being – take a cursory look at history and
see if equality or equity exists in America for all people. Start in 1619 with
slavery since slavery has informed the racial torment in America.
In fact, this is an election year – take a quick look at the American
voting history:
·
Have white men ever
been denied the right to vote?
· Have blacks had to
fight for their constitutional and human right to vote? Every 25 years, is the protection of this right in question?
You can't say you love God and are committed to following
Jesus while resting in your own freedom oblivious to the people shackled by the bonds
of systemic oppression. People identifying as Christian, Jesus’ rebuke of
the 1st century religious leaders serves as a reminder of what is important
to an identity in Christ:
“Woe to you, scribes
and Pharisees, hypocrites! You give a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you neglect what is more
important in the law—justice, mercy,
and faithfulness! You
should have done these things without neglecting the others.” Matthew 23:23
Jesus modeled the way for the People who would call themselves Christian,
always teaching justice, love and grace. Even giving his life on the Cross extending
the possibility of reconciliation – justice for all.
May every Christian and not yet Christian continually discover
our true identity in the life of Jesus and the scriptures. The Good News is
Jesus always invites us to view the world anew.
“Blessed are the peacemakers;
for they shall be called children of
God.”
Matthew 5:9
How does your faith journey embody justice, mercy and faithfulness?
Inspired By Love,
Marcus J. Singleton
A fellow sojourner identifying as Christian
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