10 Things We Know for Sure

Our meeting place is on the edge of Charlotte, and many among us live or work here. We don’t fully understand what’s happened over the last few days, but here are some things we do know:

1. Everyone is created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26; James 3:9). Police officers, protesters, rioters, innocents, criminals, vitriolic Facebook posters–every person has inherent dignity and value, and no one is to be dehumanized in a Christian’s heart, mind or language.
2. Wise people avoid the pressure to join others in causing trouble and doing harm (Proverbs 1:11-19). Peaceful protests can be good, but it’s foolish and dangerous to get sucked into a riot.
3. Rash words are like sword thrusts and wise words bring healing (Proverbs 12:18). It is wise to think, pray, consult the Word, ask questions and listen before making declarative statements and firm Facebook posts.
4. Gentle words calm anger and harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1). Our words, whether spoken or posted, effect the city’s emotional temperature.
5. Christians are to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). We should not only be peaceful, but work to promote peace among others.
6. Christians are to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48). We are to act for the benefit of others, even if they act for our detriment.
7. Christians are to love their neighbors, including (maybe especially) those from differing people groups (Luke 10:25-37). We are to have mercy on people and help them.
8. God made every nation from one man (Acts 17:26). This means each person is deeply connected with those of every race by virtue of our shared humanity.
9. God ordained, instituted and appointed human governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7). It is a blessing to have police officers working for our protection. Unless being coerced to disobey God, we are to submit respectfully to their authority.
10. Jesus’ blood ransomed a people “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). This means diversity among his people is a priority to God and the church’s destiny.

As I pray about my role as a Christian living in Charlotte and as a pastor of a Charlotte Church, I feel bereft at the realization that I have no friends or even contacts among black Christians in my city.

I’m still praying and waiting on the Lord for any specific actions he might want me to take, or for our church to take. But I know for certain that the Kingdom of God marches forward through the turmoil, and that, at the very least, these events should energize our devotion to Jesus Christ and our determination to share the gospel with everyone we can.

So I leave you with this invitation: Ask God to animate us all with his Spirit to act as the united Body of Christ in this situation.

Pastor Matt