When a fire ignites, unless there is some form of kindling used to stoke the initial combustion, the flame will flicker for a bit but slowly fade away. But if fuel is continually added, then this burst of energy will gradually build until its blaze is so strong that it is all consuming and will devour any propellant used to keep its embers filled with heat.
So then, like a wildfire that is out of control, anger has spread across this land, incited at first with the charge of racism and bigotry, but now the heat of this blaze is being encouraged to spread by those with a bigger agenda. For if prejudice were the true motivation for the presence of these riots, why are the properties of blacks being destroyed and burned to the ground? If those who are claiming the looting is a response to white oppression, then why bring ruination to those who have darker skin? Are these bystanders expected to bear the burden of loss, while those who have caused the destruction return to their homes having sacrificed nothing at all?
So while the leaders of this nation sat back and watched, the flames of injustice burned all across the land, as many who were caught in its path became victims, though they had nothing to do with the original crime that once again stoked the blaze of hatred. Yet quite a few prominent citizens in this country continued to bolster the fire by lobbing incendiary comments out into the public square, like small fires that are set to keep a fire burning with a certain direction in mind. For though the path of the blaze may appear, on the surface, to be a natural result of the cultural climate, its heading was controlled and intentionally set with the sole purpose of consuming that specific area of ground.
Those who are driving these protests are not concerned about promoting peace or finding a solution to ease the tensions found in certain ethnic communities. If this was the case, the nation today would look and feel much different because those seeking to unify a people don’t lob accusations that encourage lawlessness to continue. Instead, the language of those who are after true harmony doesn’t dwell on man’s differences, but seeks to find common ground to bridge the gap of disunity. Yet again, most are caught up in the emotions of the moment and so are allowing a knee-jerk reaction to determine their response to the recent injustice and riotous behavior of the mob
But many who claim solidarity with the protestors and are empathetic towards those causing physical destruction, have actually done very little to change the believed ignorance thought to be rampant in this nation. And so those who see themselves as more in touch with the plight of the black community walk with an offense towards those they assume are racist simply because they are lighter skinned. However, this is the way of man, as he cries discrimination, yet judges the intentions of another based on a superficial evaluation, without knowing who these people really are, and without pausing to consider the prejudice found in their own heart. For every person alive has some form of bias held inside, whether towards a whole people group or individual person; prejudice is known in the whole human race.
Although man likes to use stereotypes to qualify the lives of people, thinking the categories he has created have enough room to describe the whole of mankind, these have forgotten the uniqueness of the individual. Then considering that even those born of the same family have come from identical lineage and may have some family resemblance, none of these siblings are exactly the same in nature, for their personalities, talents, and how they process life make for a distinct person: one that may have some similarities to another but are, in fact, unlike any other person who exists in the world.
Then to take a whole ethnic group and fault every single one with the evils done by some is to say that personhood no longer matters, making the sins of a small percentage the responsibility of that entire community; telling those who had nothing to do with the injustice that they must make reparations because they happen to have lighter skin. Wouldn’t this form of vindication add the weight of oppression to those who were not even born when slavery took its dark form in this nation?
For who today amongst this population still wears that evil yoke today? How many are prevented from going to school or gaining a higher education because their skin is too dark? Then, again, who among them was denied the opportunity to advance their lives by starting their own business because those with lighter skin created laws that were written with bigotry in mind? Or how many of this ethnicity must, through the cover of darkness, run to escape their master, those who consider them property? Yet, the cries from the protesters is that nothing has changed in this nation when it comes to race, and therefore, resorting to violence should be the expected outcropping against those who have supposedly stifled the freedoms of those who are darker skinned.
However, in My estimation, the real oppressor cannot be seen by the naked eye, for he lurks around in the shadows searching for those who will agree with his lies that say their life can never change because they are automatically a victim since they were born of a certain race.
But many have accepted this as the truth, and, as a result, have little expectation for their life, because once someone allows their ears to adjust to his voice and suggestions, and accepts the terms the enemy presents, then his predictions for their future often come to pass. For the enemy’s goal is to keep human beings in bondage. Among this generation of mankind, he has perpetuated the untruth of “victimhood”, paralyzing, through the suffering that has happened in their lives, many of those who live in this nation.
So while some have experienced great tragedy or the violence of crime, there is a way to break this chain that keeps them linked to the past, allowing the wounds of injustice to be soothed with the proper healing. And though some feel they have the right to be angry because of what another said or did to them, holding on to this hostility does not lead to anything positive. And though some have already sought paths to inner healing, yet until this core issue is addressed and forgiveness released, those who see themselves in this vein will wear this veil of victimization like a covering for all of their days.
Understand then, that it’s not just in certain communities that this lie has been sold, for in some parts of this nation, the enemy has created virtual strongholds where many are bound to the same lie.
Yet, My Son came to break apart these societal barriers and set the captives free. Even when He was tried and convicted, beaten then whipped for crimes He did not commit, never once did He cry out “injustice”. Instead, He silently endured the evils man brought against Him because He knew His sacrifice was the only hope for humanity. Then, as He walked up that hill to where His sentence would be carried out, His love for mankind was displayed for all to see when He accepted death for the wrongs of every generation who would come after Him, regardless of nationality or race. His is and was the only true innocent life that has been lost, for He never carried any form of malice in His heart, nor did He hold any offense towards those who deserved to know punishment and judgment.
So then, those who claim to be His followers must remember that they were meant to traverse this world on a higher path, the one He established, where their lives do not resemble the lost of this world. A path where they are not found holding any offense, even if it is in support of those who have known prejudice against their race. For didn’t My Son ask Me to forgive those who hung Him on the cross? And didn’t He show mercy and offer salvation for the true criminal who, while suffering an agonizing death, hung next to Him?
So then, if My own mimic the world and accept the protests of racism being charged, then they have tacitly agreed with this offense.
But within My own there should be found the humble attitudes of forgiveness. For though a society is expected to have laws against looting and the destruction of property, My Church must let forgiveness lead; even those who murdered this one man aren’t to be judged in the hearts of My own. For who among them can cast the first stone when to Me one man’s sin is no different than another’s? When I look upon an individual, I am able to see beyond his appearance, for I look into the core of his being, that place within that is filled with sin. And even though some would say they are unbiased, <and> view[ing] everyone the same, I know the truth, for I see each offense they hold.
Then My dear children, while My heart is saddened by what is happening in this nation, and while it grieves My heart when man strikes down his brother, I do not want My own out marching in protest, for your lives are to resemble that of My Son, who never engaged in political battles in this manner?. Those He publicly rebuked were the religious, those who had abused their positions over My people. For just like when the woman was caught in adultery, He was able to clearly communicate, without anger or protest, that these who would judge her were in fact guilty of their own sin; yet the only one who received and accepted forgiveness was the woman who was rightly accused, for she was caught in this sinful act, which, under the law deserved death. My Son’s intervention brought repentance, and not only spared the accused her life but her soul, as well.
Then before My own make the decision to align with these protestors, forgiveness for all involved with this chain of events must take the lead, instead of the emotionally charged reaction that is pushing many to march out on the streets of this nation, for mercy always triumphs over judgment no matter how heinous the crime or offense.
Therefore, My own must be careful to guard their hearts, for the enemy is prowling around spreading rumors and accusations to cause even My own to become offended at those who have lighter skin; even those who are of the same race as their own. He will stop at nothing to tear My Church apart by using every trick in his book. Then let My own hear Me now: The word I am speaking over My children right now is “forgiveness”. Therefore, My own would be wise to line up with what I am saying, as forgiveness is the only term that will breed true solidarity. It breaks the chains of strife and creates the bonds of unity so that every creed and color are able to walk hand in hand. When forgiveness is applied, all prejudice is forgotten.
So then instead of thinking and acting like the world, which isn’t offering any real and lasting solutions to this problem, listen to the One who is all-knowing. Instead of marching in protest, walk through these days with forgiveness leading your hearts. My own must also ask Me to forgive them of their own prejudice, whether their skin is light or dark, and then promote this message throughout their communities, because forgiveness leads to repentance, opening the door so salvation can be known.
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” -Ephesians 4:31-32