What must we understand about America's current crisis

(PART 2)

You see, while the fear of backlash is making so many police officers less effective because they’re afraid of being accused of race-based brutality, the fact is that some police officers are displaying this behavior is shackling the hands of those who are just trying to do their job justly. Continuing on with "The Wall Street Journal" article that says this, "Animosity toward police also makes some black people reluctant to cooperate with law enforcement. In St. Louis, Missouri, last spring, 18 children under 14 were killed by gunfire." Let me repeat that, "Eighteen children under 14 were killed by gunfire." The article goes on, "But many residents withheld information from police, and only one arrest was made by the end of the summer. Last year, 86% of police chiefs nationwide said recruitment had declined since 2014. And in many cities, law enforcement hasn’t been able to respond even to desperate 911 calls. Communities like George Floyd’s will feel the greatest impact of this death of law enforcement."

We really, as a people, must confront the hard facts that are brought out in this article. I do not want to look at Civil Disobedience with bias, but , in my opinion, I have to agree that peaceful protests are a legitimate part of a free society, but violence is criminal behavior. A free and open society cannot survive civil disorder. When decent law-abiding citizens cannot operate their business or shop for groceries because either the buses don’t run because of fear or the stores have either been looted or are boarded up for fear of looting, anarchy then reigns.

I'm sure that by all accounts, justice is being served in the horrific case of George Floyd. Let justice be done to everyone involved in this case of abuse, and in all other cases of police brutality, and in all criminal behavior on the streets. Let us work for the day when hatred, anger, and prejudice of all stripes ends. Every one of us should investigate our hearts for anger, hatred, or prejudice. The evil done on the street begins with the thoughts of the heart, regardless of skin color.

As a Christian, and obviously with a Christian perspective, I cannot go any further, without taking you to the words of a biblical prophet who was outraged at similar scenes he saw in his time. God moved this prophet to speak truth to power with the only words that can make a difference if we listen and let them sink into our hearts. I want you, to understand what is happening from a biblical perspective. The Bible has much to say about how we should frame our thoughts on these important matters.

The prophet Amos walked into the seat of power in ancient Israel and handed out indictments to both the leaders and the people for creating a culture of injustice for the poor. He called out the rich movers of society and the religious leaders who failed to teach the law of God and uphold righteous morality. He pointed the finger at the courts, the king and the royal advisors - who were all responsible for a nation that allowed the rich to exploit the system to their benefit while leaving whole classes of citizens in poverty. Class envy and anger were at work on the streets of the nation.

Read how Amos took God’s words of judgment to power:

"…Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria; see the great unrest within her and the oppression among her people."

"They do not know how to do right," declares the Lord, "who hoard plunder and loot in their fortresses…."(Amos 3:8-11)

Violence and robbery originated with the bad policy of the governing elite. They did not "know how to do right." God indicted the political leaders for not ruling justly and righteously. Israel no longer knew how to do what was right. The more they sinned, the harder it was to remember what God wanted. Exactly the same is true for us now. The longer we wait to deal with sin, the greater it holds onto us. Finally, we forget what it means to do right. Are we on the verge of forgetting? (to be continued)