It’s only days after the assassination of Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University, the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, on a Charlotte light rail train, and the mass school shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, where innocent children were killed and injured. In a broader context, the racially motivated murder of Jarvis McKenzie in South Carolina, the increase in hate crimes against Jewish communities, and the ongoing wars in several regions around the globe are equally troubling. These tragic events are among the many that have become an almost daily occurrence. These deaths are high-profile because they are on the news and on social media, but many communities, both large and small, experience hate and violence daily. There are many victims whose names are not in the news, who are not known by the majority of Americans. Yet their deaths are no less important, and no less tragic.
My eyes have been filled with tears, and my heart is broken for the innocent, for the victims and their loved ones. I am also filled with anger at the evil, the hatred, the disregard for life that our society has come to accept as normal. I am angry that good is called evil and evil is called good. I am angry that so many in our world today feel that they are justified in hurting others, whether it be through words or actions, through hateful speech or actions, or through silence and inaction. I am angry that people will talk about how bad these murders are and how we need to change things, and then, in a few days or weeks, they forget, and nothing changes. I am angry that people are quick to point fingers at others as being the problem, yet they fail to take responsibility for their own direct or indirect involvement.
I am angry with myself. That I am guilty of letting myself feel and think the same things that I am now condemning. I am angry with myself for my own complacency and inaction.
In times like this, we often hear people say that their thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. It is important that we, especially Christians, do pray, but shouldn’t we, as the followers of another murder victim, the Lord Jesus Christ, do more than voice platitudes? So what should a Christian’s response be to the hatred and violence that we live in the midst of?
The Bible is God’s Word, and it is our guide for our faith and for our lives. It is the authority that governs our thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions. So allow me to share passages from the Bible that can help us know what to do, what to say, and what to think. Not just now, while our emotions are raw, but for the next time we are confronted with evil. And after reading these passages, consider what God said to you and talk with Him about how He wants you to join Him in confronting hate and evil with His love and the hope found in Jesus.
May we all be doers of God’s Word and not just hearers. May we be the light that shines in the darkness and that points people to God and His love for them. May our thoughts, attitudes, and actions match our words. May our actions reveal God’s love for all people, even for those who hate us, who slander us, who attack us, who imprison us, who even kill us. May we see people as God sees them, people He loved so much that He died for them. No matter who they are, where they come from, what they believe, or what they have or are doing. God demonstrates His love for us in this: Jesus Christ died for us while we were still sinners. May our lives reflect Christ and His love to a world needing His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and salvation. Let us be people of action. The right kind of action. Not repaying evil with evil but with love. Read these words from our God and then commit to consistently putting them into action.
Together in and through Christ,
Randy Adams
Matthew 5:43-48 – “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Luke 6:27-38 – “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you. “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
1 Peter 3:8-12a – “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.”
Romans 12:19-21 – “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”