“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,“ (Philippians 2:14-15)
During the chaos of the COVID pandemic lockdown, we all witnessed and experienced a breakdown in the social order. The media and many social scientists and psychologists may attribute this to the enforced governmental restrictions that were placed upon us all. Yet we Christians know better. We know that all human beings are sinners. Sin is our default setting. Consequently, many people seem to have lost all sense of compassion, love, and graciousness. They have reacted to perceived affronts to their rights and autonomy with rage, hatred, and violence.
The Word of God presents we believers with the proper way to live, by faith and righteousness empowered by the Holy Spirit. Although seeking justice, equal and fair treatment is admirable, in the Kingdom of God, the use of bitter, violent, and vitriolic means to achieve such are sin and doomed to fail. Instead, as Paul exhorts us, we are called to righteousness. Our lives must glorify the Lord, not our self, any other person, or the world.
Christians are called to be light of Christ shining in the darkness of the world. To shine His light we are to use His means, the word of the gospel He has given us, not the means that the world promotes and espouses. Worldly efforts to achieve social justice and racial equality are noble but without Jesus, they solve nothing nor can they bring peace and love.
What we Christians are called to promote and seek is Kingdom Justice. In the Kingdom of God, justice is tempered by mercy. Justice has been satisfied in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross allowing God to extend mercy to all. And because of this, we grow in righteousness by emulating the example of Jesus in every aspect of our lives. We demonstrate our salvation by putting put off self-indulgence, not demanding privileges or rights for self. We work for the salvation of others and serve God by serving others. In this way we, like Paul, become offerings that please God. The Lord uses us as He sees fit. Only by accepting His call to repentance and service, can we find true peace, unity, and joy.