A Note on the Capitol Unrest

Redeemer Church Family,

Yesterday, if you watched the news from our nation's capital and you were horrified at the ugliness unfolding, you were not alone. 

What took place at the Capitol was wicked. The gleeful destruction of property, the violence against law enforcement, and the shameless disregard for civility was a demonstration of anger and hate. And when we as Christians witness such hatred, we must react.

But how?

First, we long for Jesus. The answers we need will not come from a political party or a politician. We feel like we've had to say that so many times of late. But it is still the truth, and it still needs to be said. 

Seeing brokenness in our world should drive us to long for Christ's Kingdom - His perfect justice and mercy.

Second, we recognize and confess our own sin. We cannot focus on the sins of others and brush off how we disobeyed Jesus yesterday. The blatant sins of others should make us pause to examine our hearts before the Lord. The sins of others remind us of the offensiveness of all sin - including our own. 

Seeing the ugliness of sin in our world should provoke us to consider our own sin and lead us to repentance.

Third, we must live out the righteousness of Christ in our homes, neighborhoods, and cities. We must seek the good of the place where God has us. We should not be pulled into political partisanship to the extent it seeks to divide and dismiss our brothers and sisters in Christ or otherwise condones sin. We must seek unity with one another, pray for our civil leaders, and elect representatives that will work for the common good.

Seeing disunity and hatred in our world should move us to live all the more in the blood-bought unity we have in Christ Jesus.

Fourth, we acknowledge our many emotions, and we hold them before the Lord. Seeing just how volatile our world is and has been brings about many emotions. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus never dismissed a person for their fear, doubt, anger, or sorrow, and He also never left them in those emotions. All of our emotions are welcome before the Lord. Ask Him to speak to your feelings and concerns. Ask Him to show you what to hold on to and what to let go of as you seek to trust Him more and more. In Christ, we are invited to a hope and a joy that stretch beyond our emotions and our circumstances and carry us into eternity. Ask that His peace would reign in your heart above all else.

Just as in any other moment or day that so clearly displays the terror of sin, we hope you longed for Jesus yesterday.

And it is our prayer that you will long for Him all the more today.

Blessings,

The Senior Pastor Team

Joel Brooks
Lead Pastor

Josh Hausen
Executive Pastor

Jeff Heine
Shepherding Pastor