Yesterday I was noting that if we do nothing else we are called to stand up and step forward. Some of the most vicious hate and fear mongering groups are the ones that seem to have no other agenda but to 'be there' at the moment to foment hate, outrage and violence. Such groups as the Westboro Baptist church and the Proud Boys, while not having the same agenda, seem to have a similar SOP.
The thought of simply stepping up to the plate to say no, or stand up for truth is then not so easy in the face of such ignorant hate groups. One could easily be in the face of Satan himself. So let me posit yet another way of stepping up. While we are called to stand up and step forward, there is supportive and preemptive action that we are called to.
In the case of the Proud Boys for example, labelled as a hate group by the SPLC, we see a group who feel that they are a marginalized group. Perhaps they think that white guys are being demeaned and trod upon. As faithful then it is our job, even before standing up and stepping forward, to educate and understand these hate groups. What s their agenda? Why is it anathema to our desired and proclaimed way of life.? Why is it incompatible with our faith?
Well white guys, Jesus was a Jew. Scratch that, Jesus IS a Jew. And if you know anything and where he came from and lived, Jesus was not some blond haired blue eyed arianesque savior. Jesus was likely a short, olive skinned arabesque man who probably more resembled a terrorist. That is truth. Our savior is not the man of Hollywood and not in any way a person of hate, vengeance and fear.
I embarked on a course recently to read the Bible cover to cover in 90 days. I strongly suspect that with the difficulty I am having to keep up with my class mates , that I will not be entirely successful. But the goal speaks to something truly important for any believer. That is to know what the passages of our own Scripture say. It is informative and necessary to understand not only the love of God for us but also how we can and have been lead astray.
Education is the preemptive strike against ignorance and hate. Education is the necessary precursor to standing up and understanding why these hate mongering groups and individuals are as far from Christianity as anything we could imagine. They are wholly incompatible with saying Jesus is my saviour.
And if you did nott know, now you know that you should know. Learn and love, love and learn.
2 Timothy 4:1-8
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
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