The Christian And The #endsars Protest, Part II

I just watched some videos and read about the Lekki shootings!

I am sure you have too and like me, wondering why the unnecessary violence. I’m sure your heart is broken like mine and just confused as to why the government would respond with violence against its citizens asking that the government curb and look into the violence they are facing in the country.

I want to share some of my thoughts with you about the news that we’ve received so far. No doubt, things will become clearer as more events unfold, and as journalists try to get us more information.

1. Keeping with what I said in my first installment of this series, it is okay to be angry at the horrid news we are hearing. Our God takes no pleasure in wickedness and no evil dwells with Him (Ps 5:4) and as His children, we also should take no pleasure when we read about the wickedness that happened yesterday. Jesus modeled this perfectly for us when He wept at the graveside of His friend, Lazarus (John 11:33-35). In verse 33, we are told that He was “deeply moved” and was “troubled”. No doubt He was indignant at the pain and sorrow in death that sin brought into the human condition. We should too!
2. God is still Sovereign. I want this truth to comfort you and not get you upset and blaspheme God. So I’ll share with you a short excerpt from C.H Spurgeon’s sermon on Matt 20:15

There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that Sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that Sovereignty overrules them, and that Sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children ought more earnestly to contend than the doctrine of their master over all creation- the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands-the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne…And we proclaim an enthroned God, and His right to do as He wills with His own, to dispose of His creatures as He thinks well, without consulting them in the matter.

C.H. Spurgeon’s sermon on Matt 20:15

This truth about God’s Sovereignty is hated by the world, but it should comfort us and we shouldn’t be afraid to admit the proper Godhood of God as A.W. Pink puts it.¹ Of course this doesn’t absolve the shooters of any responsibility for their action, God will repay them in the way he sees best (Heb 10:30). It only helps us to see that our good God wasn’t caught unawares and that the event of yesterday fits into the beautiful tapestry of the redemption story. He is never the author of evil (James 1:13), these wicked men are totally responsible. But God is powerful enough to use evil for good. He does, by the hands of evil men and the devil, what He himself decreed. We can’t charge God with evil, but He works wonderfully through their means, in order that, from it, He may bring forth His perfect goodness and purpose.

3. Man is wicked and depraved. “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,” “THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”; “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS”; “THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD, DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS, AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.” “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.” (Rom 3: 13-18). This is the condition of all of us, not just the shooters. We may not be as utterly depraved and corrupt as the men who shot at the protesters, but every part of our being- body, mind, and soul- has been touched by corruption as well. It is why verse 10 of the same chapter 3 of Romans says  “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE. Not them, definitely not us- NO ONE. Except we are justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation (Rom 3:24-25), except we put our faith in His substitutionary sacrifice for us and rest on Him who is just and will justify the one who has faith in Jesus, we have no hope. “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24). We will remain wicked, corrupt people like them destined for the same judgment that will come on them. Both murderers and liars will have no part in the kingdom of God. Their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone (Rev 21:8). Do you suppose the people who were shot were greater sinners than any of us? I tell you, no, but unless we repent, we will likewise perish (Luke 13: 2-3)

What can you do now?

1. Like I said before, petition God. He said he will bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night and will not delay long over them (Luke 18:7).
2. Guard your heart against all forms of bitterness and hatred (Eph 4:31)
3. Bring the message of hope to your friends and family today. Everyone will die one way or another. Either through the hands of evil men like yesterday or through some other means. It is appointed for every man to die once. It’s what comes after that should preoccupy your minds in the coming days- judgment! We are all going to face God who will render to each person according to his deeds (Rom 2:6). to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. (Rom 2:8) but to those who are in Christ Jesus, there is no more condemnation. (Rom 8:1)

1. ^{The attributes of God | Arthur W. Pink}