George Floyd and the Kingdom of God

The peh Factor

“Seeking balance in a polarized world

George Floyd

I know everyone has been writing about the death/murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. An article in Christianity Today highlighted the role Mr. Floyd had played in a Christian ministry in Houston until he had a job opportunity in Minneapolis in 2018. He was respected as a Christian man helping other black men change their lives for the better through a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. What a tragic loss for family, friends, community and God’s Kingdom.

Now there is outrage. Now there are riots. Now there is reaction. Unfortunately, the response is often hijacked not by those who want to see change in race relations and police attitudes but by those who want to overthrow society as we know it. Reports are beginning to surface of the role of anarchists such as Antifa on the left and white supremacists on the right are infiltrating crowds and using the gatherings as cover for their destructive and violent acts.

Even though I understand the famous quote of Martin Luther King that “the riot is the language of the unheard, “ I do not believe further outrage will benefit the action/change that needs to take place. If anything, such destruction as we see going on will only solidify the mindset among law enforcement towards the threat against law enforcement. My wife’s first marriage was to a law enforcement officer. She experienced the difficulties up close and personal from a man who wore blue. She heard the struggles and saw some of the prejudices that existed and grew among some who deal with the 1% of our society (the bad ones not the rich 1%) 99% of the time. Such exposure does not justify criminal behavior and such behavior must justifiably be punished. But, when you are the object of an ambush, when you are the target of a Molotov cocktail, when your work vehicle may be overturned and set on fire, you might be a little bit on edge and respond with your fight or flight instinct.

I cannot speak to what will change our society. Idealistically we will start to listen to one another. Idealistically we will begin to see each other as humans, created in the image of God with God’s breath inside. When that image has gone awry, idealistically we will stand in a just and fair way against that anti-social behavior. But, standing against implies that I have an elevated position by which I am examining behavior. Standing can imply that I am in a superior position that is equipped to say an action is right and another is wrong. Often standing against is a statement that I am right you are wrong.

But what should we stand for? What is my vision of a society…of a world that is a good society, a good world. What defines my vision? As a society what vision shapes our law determining what is right and wrong the justice that each member deserves and the punishment that is given when the laws are broken?

I must answer these questions from my Christian worldview. That is who I am and, as a society that is what over 70% of our citizens claim to be. We come from a Judeo-Christian history. The writings of the Old and New Testament have shaped us and molded us. The stories and their applications from the pages of the Bible are part of our make-up even when we no longer remember their source.

So, as a Christian, based on the Scriptures, what do I stand for? The Bible is a big book. Maybe a library would be a better descriptor. Over 40 authors. Written over 1600 years. At least 3 languages. But, in relation to social justice let me bring it down to one life from the prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray.

Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil (the evil one).

For thine is the kingdom and the glory and the power forever. Amen.

It is the Kingdom of God for which we pray. It is the Kingdom of God for which we must stand. And so I must ask:

• Is there rape or incest in heaven? NO! Thy Kingdom come!

• Is there hunger in heaven? NO! Thy Kingdom come!

• Is there discrimination in heaven? NO! Thy Kingdom come!

• Is there racism in heaven? NO! Thy Kingdom come!

• Is there struggle for power and control in heaven? NO! Thy Kingdom come!

• Is there the taking of human life in heaven? NO! Thy Kingdom come!

• Is there the using of God and God’s name so I can get rich … in heaven? NO! Thy Kingdom come!

• Is there domestic violence in heaven? NO! Thy Kingdom come!

• Is there sickness, disease or pandemic in heaven? NO! Thy Kingdom come!

• Do nations rise against other nations in heaven? NO! Thy Kingdom come!

• Do angels (God’s serving messengers) place their knee on the neck of a black man in heaven? NO! Thy Kingdom come!

• Do God’s Kingdom people chase after a jogger because they have determined he is a thief in heaven? NO! Thy Kingdom come!

• Are there drug deals going on in heaven? No! Thy Kingdom come!

• Are there African Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, South Americans, Australians, … in heaven? YES and NO for Jesus said that people from East and West and North and South will be gathered for the wedding banquet. But, at that banquet the nationality of those in attendance will not be center stage but the Bride and Groom will be.

Jesus taught us to focus in and pray for and work for the God’s Kingdom. When I work against those things that rob us of God’s Kingdom here on earth (rape, incest, hunger, discrimination, power, murder, etc.) I am standing for God’s Kingdom. When I work for the positive attributes each negative attitude and behavior destroys I am working for God’s Kingdom. What would you include within this list highlighting the elements of God’s Kingdom? What is the depth of your commitment to seeing that kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven?"

Let me conclude with three quotes from one of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis.

If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.

Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.

To have Faith in Christ means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.