Since this blog is basically random thoughts on our life in this world as a Christian, inevitably there will be days, themes, and observances that I will "think about out loud", even if there isn't a specific Christian connection or correlation. The theme of today, the day we, as a nation, honor Martin Luther King Jr, is one of those.
In a sense, it is both amazing and kind of sad that we have to have a day such as this to honor, especially when we think about it as a Christian. Yes, Dr. King did many brave and courageous things in fighting for equality and equal rights in our nation. I don't mean this post to downplay that in any form or fashion. But I will say, especially from a Christian standpoint, it's rather sad that we have to have such a day to honor.
Why is that? Well, if I understand much about what we believe about how God made us all and redeemed us all, it would seem that all humans, regardless of race, nationality, skin color, or any other feature, all stand equally in the eyes of God. We are all equally His creation, and we are all equally His fallen, sinful creation. Likewise, in Jesus, we are all equally redeemed through the blood of the Lamb, and we all equally have the hope of new life, as we put our hope and faith in His redeeming work for us.
In that regard, shouldn't we, as Christians, view the need for a Dr. King as a rather sad thing? Shouldn't Christians, regardless of race, color, nationality, language, or any other characteristic, believe that humans stand equally in the eyes of God? I believe the Bible makes pretty clear that we are to make no distinctions in these areas. Yes, when it comes to our sinful behavior, we are called to treat each other in varying ways, though always tempered with compassion, and with an eye toward forgiveness. But when it comes to race, nationality, and the like, we all truly stand as equals.
Quite often, in history, Christians have not spoken up against things that seem obvious to us with the perspective of hindsight. Issues such as slavery and racism present one such example. So yes, it is truly appropriate to honor such a significant figure, who fought for such things, even as we rather shame-facedly admit that the need for him to do such a thing was because we Christians often have a difficult time distinguishing exactly what God intends from us at any given time. That's why we cling so richly to the Christ, to Jesus, and to the forgiveness that He purchased at such a high price. And that is why it is fully appropriate to honor those who fight for things that we as Christians recognize that we should have been fighting for all along.
In a sense, it is both amazing and kind of sad that we have to have a day such as this to honor, especially when we think about it as a Christian. Yes, Dr. King did many brave and courageous things in fighting for equality and equal rights in our nation. I don't mean this post to downplay that in any form or fashion. But I will say, especially from a Christian standpoint, it's rather sad that we have to have such a day to honor.
Why is that? Well, if I understand much about what we believe about how God made us all and redeemed us all, it would seem that all humans, regardless of race, nationality, skin color, or any other feature, all stand equally in the eyes of God. We are all equally His creation, and we are all equally His fallen, sinful creation. Likewise, in Jesus, we are all equally redeemed through the blood of the Lamb, and we all equally have the hope of new life, as we put our hope and faith in His redeeming work for us.
In that regard, shouldn't we, as Christians, view the need for a Dr. King as a rather sad thing? Shouldn't Christians, regardless of race, color, nationality, language, or any other characteristic, believe that humans stand equally in the eyes of God? I believe the Bible makes pretty clear that we are to make no distinctions in these areas. Yes, when it comes to our sinful behavior, we are called to treat each other in varying ways, though always tempered with compassion, and with an eye toward forgiveness. But when it comes to race, nationality, and the like, we all truly stand as equals.
Quite often, in history, Christians have not spoken up against things that seem obvious to us with the perspective of hindsight. Issues such as slavery and racism present one such example. So yes, it is truly appropriate to honor such a significant figure, who fought for such things, even as we rather shame-facedly admit that the need for him to do such a thing was because we Christians often have a difficult time distinguishing exactly what God intends from us at any given time. That's why we cling so richly to the Christ, to Jesus, and to the forgiveness that He purchased at such a high price. And that is why it is fully appropriate to honor those who fight for things that we as Christians recognize that we should have been fighting for all along.
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