By Pastor Ed Collins
For over a decade, the Spirit’s been teaching my congregation the value of “seeing it all as truth,” as I like to say, which is a summary phrase derived from Paul’s words in the Book of Ephesians.
But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Ephesians 5:13-14
The value of “seeing it all as truth” is being able to grasp the big picture. Context matters – a lot. Without context, life can become very confusing. Sadly, I believe a lot of people spend most of their time living “in the weeds,” as they say, never taking the time to step back, take a deep breath, and wonder at how gloriously God has orchestrated life, itself. While we can never fully understand God’s thoughts or actions (Isaiah 55:8), He does grace the humble with discernment. This spiritually inspired vision delivers us unto peace and understanding that sets us free.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:1-6
Step back and see the big picture, then you’ll understand why there have always been social injustices. This will allow you to rest while the world rages against itself. Deliverance is yours to receive; but you have to learn to transcend circumstances. Do not get sucked into the fleshly fray.
If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet. Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright. A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked. Proverbs 29:9-12
Proverbs 29:12 is indicative of most political systems on Earth today. It appears that most politicians do more to stoke the fires of social unrest than to put them out. Why? Because they don’t actually speak of or act on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s interesting that, in America, our highest elected officials are often sworn in with their left hand on a Holy Bible. Yet, I don’t see the kind of ruling wisdom I expect to see when Christ rules in the Millennial Reign. I fear most “rulers” (v12) possess poorer spiritual eyesight than most of you reading this blog. I’m not casting stones at my leaders, just expressing one of the reasons why there’s so much social unrest, along with the natural result of it, namely injustice, in this world.
Social unrest is a symptom. It’s like a tickly nose with a common cold; you sneeze violently as a result. Social injustices are like this in the sense that they are violent reactions to underlying illnesses. Our society is very ill because it continues to stray from the One who can heal it, Jesus Christ, the Great Physician (Mark 2:17).
When’s the last time you turned on the television or the radio and heard someone in mainstream politics or news mention the total depravity of man? When have you ever heard an elected official blame sin for social injustices? Why are the symptoms always attributed to trigger words like “racism,” “sexism,” or “homophobia”? If you’re wise to political strategy, you know that it plays upon the sinful human flesh, starting fires and then rushing in to put them out. Politicians are false heroes. If all politicians suddenly were endued with biblical wisdom and then acted upon it, we’d live in a very different world. That’s never going to happen, so the best a believer can do is transcend.
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16
Social injustices cause real pain and, by all means, ought to be dealt with swiftly. Murderers ought to face stiff judgement from the courts; same goes for looters and other lawbreakers. There’s no justification for breaching the moral standards of God. We believers are called to exemplify this.
When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall. Proverbs 29:16
A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression. Proverbs 29:22
The world will always be filled with social unrest and plagued with social injustices. That makes me very sad to write. Let us never dismiss these realities, for they are very real and very painful; however, anger over them shouldn’t incite further violence or hatred (those are fleshly responses to the realities of life). “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:15).
Here’s the ointment for social injustice. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 Given that the very infrastructure of our society is rotting away, and the leaders we elect are representative of this, we ought to look to our own King for answers, for He is the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16) and we are His subjects. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). Amen? How’s that for perspective that sets you free?
If you understand what’s transpiring around you, you’re less likely to fear it. When you “see it all as truth”, you gain precious context that alleviates the grating pressure of living in a world that specializes, even thrives on, devouring itself. Sinful creatures are expected to be vile. The awfulness that we witness on the news is symptomatic of a deeper, spiritual issue. Don’t let the depravity of others rob you of your God-given freedom.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:13-16
Do not fear. Do not look anywhere other than to your Lord for deliverance. Life is short, God is good, and people…well, you know.
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe. Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice. An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked. Proverbs 29:25-27
Visit Pastor Ed at North Christian Church, 2360 Chestnut Street, North Dighton, MA, 02764 or contact him at (508 252-9494) or mail@nccdighton.org.
