When it comes to the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the only information I need from the media on it is the footage of what happened. After that, I'll pass on everything else. Whether it be CNN or Fox News, I’m aware that they are seeking to feed me a biased perspective on why it happened and what needs to happen to bring a resolution. The problem is that no news outlet or anchor is capable of properly explaining why George Floyd was murdered. And if they are unable to do that, how could they possibly provide a resolution?

This is why believers in the Lord Jesus Christ must keep themselves biblically informed. The word of God informs us as to why injustice exists, as well as how to address it. For starters, believers must reconcile that what happened at Chicago Avenue and E. 38th St in Minneapolis is not new. Writing at the end of his life, King Solomon said, "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecc 1:9).

Racism, injustice, and the violation of human rights are not new problems. Since the fall of man in the garden of Eden, this course was set. Before the book of Genesis can even get going, every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil continually (Gen 6:5). During His earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus Christ reinforced this when He testified to what is in the heart of man: evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies (Mat 15:19). These sinful traits are not exclusive to one race of people or another. Regardless of race, gender, or class, this is the reality of mankind.

So whether we're talking about the brutal practice of stealing (Exo 21:16) over 7 million slaves from the continent of Africa during the 17th and 18th centuries, after which they were forced into hard labor and unimaginable oppression; or of the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin whose regime was responsible for the deaths of 20 million people; or the evil German Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler, who orchestrated the butchering of at least 6 million Jews; or the fact that 1 in 4 women are raped by the age of 44; or the fact that approximately 5 children die every day from abuse, all happened or happens because of one reason: sin.

Sin is why George Floyd was murdered on the streets of Minneapolis, and media outlets will never inform the public of this because they are not aware of the real issue. Contrary to the racial narrative being propagated, this is not a racial issue. Racism is merely a symptom. Sin is the real problem, and it will never be solved through politics and legislation. If that was possible, would we be having this conversation? While the civil government is a God-ordained institution (Rom 13), it is incapable of legislating righteousness. There are no laws that can be enacted to eradicate what happened in Minneapolis.

What concerns me the greatest in this time is seeing believers take the world’s bait. As a black man, for me that would look like taking on the identity of an angry victim. But as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I am not a victim, nor is my identity chiefly found in my race. Because in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek (Gal 3:28).

If who I am in Christ becomes secondary to who I am in the flesh, that is a massive problem. Instead, I choose to accept what the word of God says about me as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, which is that I am more than a conqueror (Rom 8:37); I have been given the victory (1Co 15:57); I've been blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3); and I have overcome the world (1Jo 5:4). Therefore, I am not looking to CNN, Fox News, or politicians to speak for me or provide victory to me as a black man. They cannot do that for me. Additionally, I do not need white America or even white brethren to feel sorry for me and mildly apologize for the injustices perpetrated on black people by whites. A victim might require that, but again, in Christ, I am not one. God always causes me to triumph in Christ (2Co 2:14).

If sin is the real problem, the solution is a biblical no-brainer: the gospel. This is why when we were made new creatures in Christ (2Co 5:17), we received new job titles. Before we are lawyers, bankers, school teachers, or anything else, we are ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors for Christ (2Co 5:18-20). Our job is not to make independents, democrats, republicans, or protestors. Our job is to make disciples indeed of the Lord Jesus Christ. This begins with our stewardship of the gospel. Media outlets propagate politics, disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ propagate the gospel.

The approach of the media simply exacerbates the problem, while God’s ambassadors doing their jobs solves it. If churches and believers aren't careful, they will be seduced into winning people politically while overlooking their greatest need spiritually. Sadly, some people are converted politically, but are still destined to stand before the great white throne judgment (Rev 20:11-15). How despicable is that?

As atrocious as it was, what happened in Minneapolis did not take me by surprise. Because of God's word, I understand it. What continues to shock me, however, is the abundance of churches and believers who take Satan's bait by subtly tossing the word of God aside because it is somehow insufficient to address matters of racial injustice. That is the behavior of those in Christ who have reckoned their identity in Him to be secondary to who they are in the flesh. Whenever this happens, Satan gains an advantage in the battle (2Co 2:11).

At the end of the day, I will either process what happened in Minneapolis as a black man in the flesh or as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Those two approaches are diametrically opposed to one another. I’m not taking the world’s bait. Let's make disciples of all nations.

To hear from Pastor Kenny on the topic of social justice, check out this interview from the Postscript, or consider taking the Speech and Reasoning course at LFBI.