Once again we find ourselves dealing with the problem of riots. For some reason, we periodically become aware of riots (usually because they are in our country or a country we like) and we have a fit of trying to determine who or what to blame. What is the spiritual truth here?
First, we know why people riot, in general. They riot because they are evil. People riot because they are flawed, fallen, evil people. They riot because they are sinners. Riots are, in that sense, simply the natural outcome of their natural condition. It is the same reason people murder, people steal, people lie, and people cheat on their taxes. Sin is at the root of everything. We should not, in that sense, be surprised that anyone ever riots, but only that riots are as infrequent as they are.
Secondly, riots shine a light on the efforts of civilization to overcome (or at least limit) the sinful acts of people. The reason people do not always riot is because, through civilization, God has so acted upon wicked men that their wickedness is not always on full display. By the nature of things, people's sinfulness is channeled such that they do not always do all the evil they would otherwise do. All of our laws are based on this truth, that people are evil and must be prevented from acting out their evil tendencies. Without the governments God has created to restrain evil, the riots would be our daily lives.
The Bible makes clear that law is not made for the righteous, but for sinners.
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the
law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly
and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and
mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality,
enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in
accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been
entrusted.
1 Timothy 1:8-11. When we see laws broken by large groups of people, we know that something has gone wrong in the system. The law is intended to control the sinfulness of people and, where the law fails, that sinfulness can have full reign.
As Christians, our primary goal is the proclamation of the gospel of salvation. However, it is proper and fitting that we should, while recognizing sin as the basis of rioting, also ask what may be done to prevent such things going forward. The laws, and the systems we use for law, must adjust to cope with the evil that is within us all. When we see that the systems are failing, then we must be ready to adjust those systems.
Why do they riot? Because they are evil, certainly, but also because, for whatever reason, that which restrains their evil has failed. Something has been allowed to fester and become uncontrollable, something which should have been foreseen and prevented.
Riots call us to realize again not only that people are wicked, but that we must be ever vigilant in governance. We are to pray for our leaders, that we may live quiet lives. 1 Timothy 2:1. We are to live lives of simplicity that honor God. We are to love our neighbors and obey the laws we are given. We are to help the government perform its function of deterring evil.
The riots also remind me of when I was as they are: lost and without hope. I was once as they are: criminal and evil, with a heart that was deceitful. I should not let my fear and anger at their rioting prevent me from obeying the command to love them.
Pray for our leaders. Pray that they will, again, restrain the evil. Pray that we may have quiet lives.
First, we know why people riot, in general. They riot because they are evil. People riot because they are flawed, fallen, evil people. They riot because they are sinners. Riots are, in that sense, simply the natural outcome of their natural condition. It is the same reason people murder, people steal, people lie, and people cheat on their taxes. Sin is at the root of everything. We should not, in that sense, be surprised that anyone ever riots, but only that riots are as infrequent as they are.
Secondly, riots shine a light on the efforts of civilization to overcome (or at least limit) the sinful acts of people. The reason people do not always riot is because, through civilization, God has so acted upon wicked men that their wickedness is not always on full display. By the nature of things, people's sinfulness is channeled such that they do not always do all the evil they would otherwise do. All of our laws are based on this truth, that people are evil and must be prevented from acting out their evil tendencies. Without the governments God has created to restrain evil, the riots would be our daily lives.
The Bible makes clear that law is not made for the righteous, but for sinners.
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the
law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly
and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and
mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality,
enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in
accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been
entrusted.
1 Timothy 1:8-11. When we see laws broken by large groups of people, we know that something has gone wrong in the system. The law is intended to control the sinfulness of people and, where the law fails, that sinfulness can have full reign.
As Christians, our primary goal is the proclamation of the gospel of salvation. However, it is proper and fitting that we should, while recognizing sin as the basis of rioting, also ask what may be done to prevent such things going forward. The laws, and the systems we use for law, must adjust to cope with the evil that is within us all. When we see that the systems are failing, then we must be ready to adjust those systems.
Why do they riot? Because they are evil, certainly, but also because, for whatever reason, that which restrains their evil has failed. Something has been allowed to fester and become uncontrollable, something which should have been foreseen and prevented.
Riots call us to realize again not only that people are wicked, but that we must be ever vigilant in governance. We are to pray for our leaders, that we may live quiet lives. 1 Timothy 2:1. We are to live lives of simplicity that honor God. We are to love our neighbors and obey the laws we are given. We are to help the government perform its function of deterring evil.
The riots also remind me of when I was as they are: lost and without hope. I was once as they are: criminal and evil, with a heart that was deceitful. I should not let my fear and anger at their rioting prevent me from obeying the command to love them.
Pray for our leaders. Pray that they will, again, restrain the evil. Pray that we may have quiet lives.