When chaos masquerades as justice
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ChatGPTThe shooting of a 37-year-old mother of three in Minneapolis by federal officials during a protest is a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be lost when emotions are heated and decisions become chaotic.
I find it deeply distressing that a young mother lost her life. Any loss of life is heartbreaking. At the same time, I find it troubling how often people rush to judgement and form strong opinions in complex situations before all the facts are known.
King Solomon once wrote that "there is nothing new under the sun." Indeed, human nature hasn't changed much over the centuries, and neither has the tendency to react before we reflect, to jump to conclusions before all the facts are known, and to let anger replace wisdom.
When people are quick to challenge arrests or immediately protest a police action as unjustified, I find myself asking, Why are people so quick to leap before they look? Why are so many willing to disobey lawful authority, jeopardize additional lives, and stir chaos without understanding the full story?
Solomon's words remind us that this is nothing new.
In Acts 17, we read about a remarkably similar situation nearly 2,000 years ago. The apostle Paul received a favorable response when he preached the gospel in Thessalonica, and the established religious leaders became jealous of his growing influence. Determined to silence him, they were willing to do whatever it took.
Scripture says, "…so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city" (Acts 17:5). Two chapters later, a similar riot broke out in Ephesus. Luke records, "The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there" (Acts 19:32).
That description sounds surprisingly familiar. Even today, when reporters ask protesters why they are demonstrating, many struggle to give a clear answer.
There always seem to be "bad characters in the marketplace"—people eager for conflict, like drunken hoodlums who walk into a bar at midnight looking for a fight. The unrestrained sin nature of man can become so twisted that it seeks to inflict pain on others, even when it brings harm upon itself. The Message paraphrases Acts 17 this way: "Mad with jealousy, they rounded up a bunch of brawlers off the streets and soon had an ugly mob terrorizing the city."
But the mob wasn't the whole story. Some religious leaders were so power-hungry that when their influence was threatened, they deliberately stirred up unrest. They twisted the truth to provoke a riot, dragging believers before city officials and shouting, "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here… They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus"(Acts 17:6–7).
Those accusations weren't true! Paul and his companions hadn't started the trouble—their opponents had. Although believers proclaimed Jesus as King, they were not defying the laws of Rome.
On the contrary, followers of Christ were taught to respect governing authorities. But in times of conflict, truth is often the first casualty. Threatened leaders are sometimes willing to lie when they are fighting to retain power.
As Solomon reminds us, rioting under false pretenses is nothing new. The adversary has followed the same age-old formula for centuries:
Dishonest, threatened leaders+ bad characters from the marketplace= chaos and destruction.
Jesus warned that the enemy "comes only to steal and kill and destroy," and he is eager to exploit the sinful nature of both men and women to advance his cause.
Lessons for Christians
#1 Don't be quick to jump to conclusions.
Solomon wrote, "In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines" (Proverbs 18:17). Wisdom requires us to listen carefully before forming opinions.
#2 Be respectful of governing authorities—even when you disagree.
Scripture teaches that government exists to restrain evil and maintain order. "For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience" (Romans 13:4-5).
Of course, the Bible also makes it clear that our ultimate allegiance is to God. When governing authorities command what God forbids—or forbid what God commands—believers must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). Yet, faithful resistance in Scripture was never driven by anger or chaos, but by conviction, humility, and a willingness to suffer the consequences. That kind of obedience is very different from reckless defiance.
#3 Express disagreement peacefully.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9). In America, we have the ability to change laws through a representative system. It can be frustrating and slow, but it is far better than violence and chaos.
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18).
 | Bob Russell became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church at just 22 years old. That small congregation of 120 members became one of the largest churches in America, with 18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in 2006 when Bob retired. Now through Bob Russell Ministries, Bob continues to preach at churches; conferences throughout the United States, provide guidance for church leadership, mentor other ministers and author Bible study videos for use in small groups. Learn More » |
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