Malachi Responses in a Chronicles World

When has our country ever been needier than it is right now, under the situations of these past weeks and months? Probably never in my lifetime. My heart has been heavy this week as I have considered the current rioting, although my ultimate conclusions also include the virus situation.

My primary reaction regarding the protests is that I don't understand. I don't understand how these protests can be productive; they seem only destructive. I don't doubt that there are legitimate concerns or that there are sincere people seeking to address those concerns, but the current methods are doing more harm than good.

This situation may be exactly what is being universally touted - that a racist officer acted with excessive violence, without mercy denying breath to a man calling out for reprieve. In that case, proper justice should be taken based on evidence. But there are also enough questions, in my opinion, to present the possibility that the situation was not as bad as it seems. If that is the case, it will be too late to reverse the loss of lives, businesses, and peace.

Why do I suggest this unpopular possibility? Because I expect police officers to act like police officers, criminals like criminals, and upstanding citizens like upstanding citizens. That's not always true; there are bad cops. There are also good cops who make bad decisions. Rather than stemming from hatred, I think many similar situations are simply due to people (on both sides) making bad decisions in intense situations. I'm not arguing for who is right or wrong in this case or in the broader picture, but just saying that currently imperfect people are hurting and in turmoil.

The underlying problem is sin. Whether that is racism by cops or citizens, or whether that is criminal activity and disregard for the law, it is sin. It is primarily a heart issue. The answer is the gospel. Criminals, police officers, hate groups, and ordinary citizens all need the gospel. Only then can hearts, lives, and behaviors be changed. Only then can healing happen.

I don't understand racism. Maybe that means I'm sheltered. I  do realize there are hateful people, maybe more than I realize, but I don't think most Americans care about skin color. I have had co-workers and students from multiple ethnic backgrounds. I have lived in a foreign country, ministering to and alongside people of other ethnicities. I have loved those people. Racism seems foreign to me because I grew up with Christianity and in Christian circles. That's the point. The answer is God. If others shared my Christian context, there wouldn't be racism.

Here's where my thinking on the riots coincides with my thinking about coronavirus. There are many people in our country who need the gospel. It is the only thing that will change their lives and hearts, the only thing that will provide answers. That is true whether the issue is hatred and racism or whether the issue is fear, anxiety, or depression.

Many have tried during these months to direct people toward God. Just with myself and people in my church, there have been multiple conversations, phone calls, letters, tracts, social media posts and videos, publically-published letters and sermons, and other creative attempts to show God's love and to direct people to the hope and salvation found in God.

But where are the responses? If people are so needy, and if the answer is being shared, why aren't people responding? If these troubling times are not enough to turn people's hearts to God, then what would it take to get people's attention? If not now, when?

Nearly everyone thinks he is ok. People believe in God. Religion is so common in our culture that, without extended and systematic study, people don't realize their belief is insufficient or misguided. The remaining people either don't care or are angry at God. They blame Him for everything, or they deny He exists, and they dismiss all religious talk before they have the chance to hear enough truth to impact them. I am reminded of how God sent His prophets many times to Israel, but they would not hear. (II Chronicles 36:15-16, Jeremiah 35:13-16). People today give Malachi-type responses. They ask questions, sometimes sincere and sometimes belligerent. What's wrong with us? Why would God reject us? Don't we believe in Him? Haven't we gone to church? Don't we try to live right? What do you mean, we aren't good enough?

We believe that people are hurting in these days, but these "hurting" people are nebulous and nameless. Are they your co-workers or neighbors? They don't seem to be. Are they the people in the riots, people who are suffering from injustice and can't find a way out? Do you think they want to hear the gospel? In both groups, people either think they already have religion or they want nothing to do with it.

Truly, Jesus was right when He said, "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14). As I pondered a friend's heartfelt Facebook post sharing her beliefs as well as the many efforts of others, my heart was gripped to pray for these gospel efforts to have impact. Yes, many will choose the broad path. They will refuse to get enough Bible knowledge to even understand the truth. But not all. Some will choose the narrow way.

How can we reach those people? Each of us have people in our sphere of influence that others don't have. Who among us knows the protestors, the police, the hurting inner city people? If we don't have contact with them, perhaps the ones who are most needy, how can we reach them? Those cities, neighborhoods, gangs, and groups seem like closed communities. What can we do?

Here are the answers I thought of. Pray for inner cities. Pray for workers to go there. Pray for pastors who are in those cities to be true to the Word and to preach the gospel. Pray for people who are searching to find good churches rather than empty religion. Pray for people's hearts to be touched. Pray for key leaders within their communities and groups to be saved. Pray for people in social services to have real impact, sharing Christ and not social help. Mentor if that possibility is available. For the needy who are in your sphere of influence, pray for God to draw them. Then live like Christians ought to live to show people there is a difference between believing in God and being a Christian. May God have mercy on our land. May He call people to Himself. May He heal the hurting.