Jeremiah 17:10
“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”
God makes it perfectly clear why we sin – it’s a matter of the heart. Our hearts have been inclined toward sin from the day we are born. It is easy to fall into the routine of forgetting and forsaking God. But we can still choose whether or not to continue to sin. We can yield to a specific temptation, or we can ask God to help us resist when temptation comes.
I’m sure that most have seen the demonstrations and riots lately in the news, where we find perfect examples of hearts that are just not right. The hatred that is being spread throughout social media and on the streets in our cities is horrible. And the same person spreading the hatred would want mercy if they were placed before a judge. That same person would not want anyone in their face shouting something obscene, or blocking their path.
2 Timothy 3:2 says, “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy…” And I an certain that a large number of these same people would clam to be Christians. Jesus changes attitudes and gives new life to individuals. What we don’t need is a theology of revolution, inciting violence – what we need is a Theology of peace – found only in Jesus Christ. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority, resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves…Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.” (Rom 13:1-5)
Many have justified riots by claiming to seek justice, to right wrongs, to find vindication in a corrupt system of injustice. But look at the poisonous fruits of rioting: intimidation, violence, destruction, theft, mutilation and even murder. Where is the justice in these? The Bible – which is the foundation of true knowledge – warns all men, “You shall not follow a multitude to do evil” (Exodus 23:2) Riots are forbidden! No matter how just a cause may seem, in God’s eyes there is no such thing as seeking justice through a mob bent on revenge.
