“Pastor, should Christians be involved in peaceful protests?”

I think the right question would be, what would Jesus do in the face of injustice. Jesus may not fight back rejection, but He’d definitely do something about injustice.

Jesus never fought back rejection. As a matter of scriptures, while charging His disciples to go out, He’d often tell them to dust their shoes in the house of whoever rejects them. One of the disciples asked Him if they should call down fire like Elijah did just to deal with those that were rejecting them, Jesus clearly rebuked that disciple. But when it comes to the issue of injustice, Jesus always reacted. However, whatever He’d do would be peaceful.

There are many instances in the bible. A close one would be the woman that was almost stoned to death because she was caught in adultery. To the people, stoning her was justice, but from Jesus’s standpoint, it was injustice to condemn a person who God hasn’t condemned. However, He didn’t exchange harsh words with them, He simply gave gentle answers that pricked their hearts. I’m sure you know the story.

I know we pray for our nations as Christians, but someone has to speak heart prickening words to the government. Words that are not inditing, yet powerful enough to compel the change we’ve been praying about. A protest doesn’t have to be violent before a change can be effected, it can simply be an action of faith to show that we believe in the God we prayed to.

In Romans chapter 10, Apostle Paul was teaching about conviction when he clearly said that a person cannot believe in Jesus except he hears about Jesus, and he can’t hear about Jesus except someone preaches to him about Jesus. Let’s see how scriptures put it:

Romans 10:
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

You’d be surprised that many of these political leaders don’t even believe that the masses are suffering. And that’s because they’ve not really heard about the suffering. They may have been told, but I strongly believe that they’d only begin to hear when Christians begin to actively lend their voices – in a peaceful way. Our voice has a backing from God that can touch the heart of those in power.

If we pray and say nothing, nothing significant will change. It’s actually why we’ve not experienced any significant change in years. Ofcourse God will make things easier for His own, but our responsibility isn’t just to the church, but to the nation. Moreover, why should God worry about providing food and shelter for His own if the government is doing well? It’s unfortunate that our pursuit for food has derailed us from the main purpose of our Creator. The average African serves God only because of what God would give him. That’s not how it should be. I’ve read my Bible, and it’s clear that God wants a people that would love Him and have a working relationship with Him.

There are many Bible verses we can find for guidance and wisdom when it comes to participating in protests. Scripture tells us that Christians are to be a light in the darkness and to speak up for those who have no voice. Some believe that protesting is a sign of disrespect for authority, however, we are also to call out and condemn evil and sinful behavior. While the Bible does not specifically address protests, we can learn from how God responds to injustice and what He has called believers to do.

We can peacefully protest with others, we can speak out with righteous anger, we can share God’s truth, we can spread love, we can have compassion. While we pray in our closet, let us speak out in righteousness when we come out. Don’t just preach to people, preach to your government too. The gospel is peaceful, not violent.

Say exactly what you want and let it be clear. Insist on those things until you get feedback on them. If they choose to play deaf ears after you’ve spoken in faith, then they’d have God to deal with. And believe me, God knows how to play His part well.

Having said that, flee from any appearance or inditement of evil. If it’s not peaceful, then it’s not sponsored by God.

I hope this has brought enlightenment to someone.

Remain ever blessed, in Jesus precious name!

#EmekaAnslem
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