Philippians 2:3-4, Romans 12:14-16, Psalm 147:2-3
In humility, count others; Look to the interests of others; Rejoice with; Weep with; Live in harmony; Associate with the lowly; Never be wise in your own sight.
These scriptures give God’s people rich instruction about how to love each other, as well as our neighbor, and then offer comfort for us when that goes wrong.
Dear New City family,
A week ago, our country was rocked again by news of violence experienced by people of color – the killing of unarmed black men, Ahmaud Arbery, and Douglas C. Lewis.
Unfortunately, as with similar events, including recent violence against Asian image-bearers, we observe some common lines of response within the Church.
For people of color, there is hurt, fear, rage, feelings of being policed. There is a deep sadness and weeping at the constant daily reality of the emotional – or actual physical -- risk one takes when seeking to engage in normal activities and pursuits in American life. There is frustration, especially among folks in the church, of wondering: “Who will speak out?” There is frustration because mothers just want their husbands and sons to survive.
DANTÉ STEWART writing in Christianity Today asks: “How long do we have to wait for progress? How many have to be brutally murdered before people believe that we are actually telling the truth?”
For prevailing culture folks, if you view the comments on many news articles or blog posts, there are some expressions of empathy and concern, but they are overshadowed by now-common refrains of:
That is tragic, but calling this out as a systemic injustice is race-baiting.
Why are we not more concerned about the millions killed by abortion? Or the violence and shootings in Chicago?
It would be wise to wait for the facts, before passing judgment in this particular case.
Or – mere silence.
As a Christ-exalting, cross-cultural gospel church, New City Fellowship, let us conspicuously live out gospel unity to our on-line and local community, and within our church family bear one another’s burdens. The posture of these scriptures is one of humility, empathy, listening, gentleness, patience, support, and understanding. At times like these, may we grieve the loss of these image-bearers together, and be aware of the constant burden carried due simply to being a person of color. Our own brothers and sisters carry this burden. Let us bear it with them, together in love.
We have comfort that God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. But it is an appropriate time to lament and cry out from Psalm 35: How long, Oh Lord?
The following podcast episode is an interview of author Jasmine Holmes, hosted by Collin Hansen of The Gospel Coalition on his Gospelbound podcast, which was recorded just before the recent news broke. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/gospelbound/from-mother-son/
I recommend listening to this kind & gracious black woman express her perspective and concerns, and hopes for her son, without the tension of these particular recent shootings (though her perspective is shaped by many other similar events).
For my white brothers and sisters – As a white man, I ask you in particular: Please listen to this podcast. And listen to others like it, in order to hear from the voices of dear image-bearers who are stricken by the tragically regular reports of the killing of unarmed black men.
In Christ,
Elder Dave Werner