Overcome Evil with Good

Killing innocent, sacred human life is grievous indeed, regardless of stage, age, race, religion, etc. But responding with hatred, violence, and criminal activity certainly does not help, especially when the facts of the case haven't even been released yet. No politician or riot will fix the problem of racism in our country because the root of racism is sin.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)

As we have seen, however, misinformation is the fuel that keeps the flames of racism on every side growing larger and hotter. The facts presented at this link, "Keith Scott Shooting:  5 Facts - What you Know Maybe Wrong",  may be eye-opening for some, especially for those who did not realize that the police officer who shot Keith Scott was black or that he was holding a gun placing the police officers in a position of self defense, or it may seem irrelevant to others based on their real and deeply felt personal experiences.  Can we at least find a more productive way to address these issues based on truth and love instead of senseless violence? Let's ask hard questions and listen to each others' stories such as we see in this post where an African American woman respectfully shares her personal experiences to illustrate and define white privilege for a white friend who sincerely and lovingly seeks to understand.

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  (Matthew 5:43-45, NASB)

A tribute to the men in blue after 5 more have fallen at the hands of hatred

Men in blue,
We appreciate you! 

You risk your lives every day
For ungrateful folks and piddly pay. 

Your daily stress runs much too high;
Your courage and honor we cannot deny.

We need you now more than ever,
as justice in America continues to sever.

Stephen Hildreth, Jr. shared the following post on Facebook which went viral:

Stephen Hildreth, Jr.

So, I'm driving to my office to turn in my weekly paperwork. A headlight is out. I see a Tucson Police Department squad vehicle turn around and follow me. I'm already preparing for the stop.

The lights go on and I pull over. The officer asks me how I'm doing, and then asks if I have any weapons.

"Yes, sir. I'm a concealed carry permit holder and my weapon is located on my right hip. My wallet is in my back-right pocket."

The officer explains for his safety and mine, he needs to disarm me for the stop. I understand, and I unlock the vehicle. I explain that I'm running a 7TS ALS holster but from the angle, the second officer can't unholster it. Lead officer asks me to step out, and I do so slowly. Officer relieves me of my Glock and compliments the X300U I'm running on it. He also sees my military ID and I tell him I'm with the National Guard.

Lead officer points out my registration card is out of date but he knows my registration is up to date. He goes back to run my license. I know he's got me on at least two infractions. I'm thinking of how to pay them.

Officers return with my Glock in an evidence back, locked and cleared. "Because you were cool with us and didn't give us grief, I'm just going to leave it at a verbal warning. Get that headlight fixed as soon as possible."

I smile. “Thank you, sir.”

I’m a black man wearing a hoodie and strapped. According to certain social movements, I shouldn’t be alive right now because the police are allegedly out to kill minorities.

Maybe…just maybe…that notion is bunk.

Maybe if you treat police officers with respect, they will do the same to you.

Police officers are people, too. By far and large, most are good people and they’re not out to get you.

I’d like to thank those two officers and TPD in general for another professional contact.

We talk so much about the bad apples who shouldn’t be wearing a badge. I’d like to spread the word about an example of men who earned their badges and exemplify what that badge stands for.
#BlueLivesMatter #AllLivesMatter

The key word in this man's post is "respect". Love and respect are not only the cornerstones of a healthy marriage, they are the bedrock of a healthy society. Without them, the dominoes of hatred fall one after another until every stronghold of society is knocked down.

Love and respect could push back hate
If God's love and light were welcomed here.
When our gods are self and the global state.
We lose our heroes and live in fear!

When the culture kicks out the chief cornerstone (Acts 4:11) who is the very definition and embodiment of love, there is only hate, for just as darkness is the absence of light; hatred is the absence of love. God is love.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)

Let us be fervent in prayer for our country, our police force, the families of those who have lost loved ones through the fires of hatred, be it a police officer or the Alton Sterlings of the world, and mostly for the souls of Americans to be turned back to God.   We desperately need you, Jesus!

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For a deeper evaluation of the rise in violence, evil, and hatred in our culture, I highly recommend this video, which was posted with the following publisher comments:

Of all the social spheres, the state, to which God grants the power of the sword for the punishment of evil and the preservation of the good, has the greatest potential to go awry if it oversteps its authority. The civil magistrate must always remember his place under the sovereignty of God -- otherwise, havoc will ensue.

When terrorism strikes and words fail....

After the Orlando shooting that killed 49 people, it seems heartless to say nothing but finding words that comfort, unite, and express compassion seems impossible given the current state of our country.  When a nation is sharply divided, when evil wins a battle (but evil cannot and will not win the war, for that war has already been won), and/or when leaders and the media incite hatred, bigotry, anger, and bitterness, objectivity is suppressed and bias colors everything. No matter what words are spoken, what tone is employed, or what data is presented, the receiver of that information will interpret it based upon his/her own bias. That information then becomes ammunition, and in this information age, the abundance of "info ammo" (as I call it) has filled almost every heart and home to overflowing and fortified the walls that divide us. We know that no productive communication, relationship building, legislation, or positive change happens when people are hurt, angry, and/or stockpiling or launching their info ammo.

So, at a time when our nation is grieving over a senseless tragedy, confused over what it means to truly love or to hate, outraged by evil, angry at everyone and everything, distracted by political exploitation when empathy is needed, and frustrated by a failure, refusal, or inability to name and confront the real enemy, it is hard to come up with words that will promote unity or express heartfelt compassion, love for all people, and encouragement without those words being interpreted to mean something else by the varying perceptions of others. So when words fail, perhaps a recent cell phone picture of that which is beautiful and comforting no matter how you look at it will help.

When I don't know what to say or do to help, I go to my favorite thinking/praying spot to watch the sun fall beneath the horizon. The setting sun has never disappointed me or stood me up. It is beautiful from every angle and in any kind of weather. Even during the darkest days, the warm bright beams peak through the clouds to let me know that the One who created the sun and the earth, the same One who first caused the earth to spin about its axis and set the earth into orbit around the sun at just the right distance to sustain and maintain life, is present. He sees and weeps with those who weep. He is good and loving. Each person in our lives will eventually let us down, but the sunset is as constant and faithful as the one who established it's cycle. Great is His faithfulness! The sun will come up tomorrow. There is always hope for tomorrow, especially for those who choose the One who came to make all things new. (Lamentations 3:22-24)

Addendum:
We know we should tread carefully when people are angry or grieving because too often, hurt people hurt other people.   However, as author Robin Jones Gunn reminded me tonight,  HEALED PEOPLE HEAL OTHERS. How many of us have experienced some form of healing, be it physical, emotional, and/or spiritual? Then as healed and redeemed people, let us focus our energy on helping others heal.  Call the Great Physician on behalf of the hurting.  He even makes house calls. I think I hear Him knocking now.

"I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." - Revelations 3:20