Facing Injustice Together

As we reflect on what happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis, we’re grieved that this kind of injustice is still happening to our brothers and sisters in the 21st century.

We know injustice makes God angry, and it makes us angry, too.

If one of us is denied justice, none of us can ignore it. If one of us isn’t safe, none of us are safe. If one of us can be abused, all of us will lose. The Bible says, “Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying” (Proverbs 31:8 NET).

That verse applies to anyone whose life has been threatened by prejudice and oppression, not just the unborn who can’t defend themselves from death. The next verse tells us to “plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

Because of what the Bible teaches, we can’t be silent when injustice happens. A few weeks ago, during my James series explaining the principles for living through a pandemic, I warned against the rise of racism and bigotry, especially because people are more fearful these days during COVID-19. Fear brings out the worst in us.

Jesus, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and many, many others have taught us that using violence to end violence will never work. We don’t fight fire with fire. Instead, we drown it with water. And no matter how angry and how upset we become about injustice and an unfair system, we can only defeat evil by doing what God tells us to do in Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (NASB).

Racism, prejudice, and bigotry are strong forces because they’re based on human fears, but we have access to a stronger force: God’s love. 

I preached this message of love at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s home church, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, at the invitation of Dr. King’s family on the 40th anniversary of his death. It was one of the greatest privileges of my life to preach in Dr. King’s pulpit. 

If you have ever felt rejected, belittled, abused, or afraid because of who God made you to be, I want you to know that Kay and I stand in solidarity with you. We love you, and we will never stop fighting for liberty and justice for all.