The Church Is the Solution

Black Lives Matter. White Lives Matter. Blue Lives Matter.

It seems like everyone has a hashtag and Twitter campaign to espouse their views. Everyone wants to start a movement or further a movement. This is especially true in the turbulent times that we live. It seems like every time I turn on the news I hear of more violence, more strife, more unjust and more divides in our country.

It seems like everyone has their own solution. Some call for protests. Others for legislation. Some want more dialogue. Others want less. All of them are wrong.

You see, the church is the solution to the racial, ethnic, social and economic divides in our country. The church, the bride of Christ, is authorized to speak on his behalf and promote an agenda of peace. It is a peace that comes only from knowing Jesus Christ. It is a peace that changes hearts.

My wife has the ability to do many things in my name. That is because she is my wife. The church, as the bride of Christ, has the ability to do many things in his name as well. We are called to serve, love and tell others about Jesus. And we are to do these things in the name of Jesus.

In Revelation 7:9-10, there is a beautiful image of the church singing praises to Jesus at the end of time. It depicts a group so large it can't be numbered. In the group, John describes people of many nations, languages and cultures. This isn't a white congregation or a black one. It isn't a Chinese congregation or an American one. It's not a Republican congregation or a Democrat one. It is a congregation made up of everyone.

That is the future for the church. That is the future for all who believe in Jesus Christ. We will stand along with all of our Christian brothers and sisters in singing praises to Jesus Christ.  Christ unifies all his believers.

You see, Jesus is the solution to the problem. Only he can change hearts. Only he can make us new. Only he can heal old wounds and bridge the divide between us. And it's on us, as the church, as the bride of Christ, to take that solution to our communities, our country and around the world. Jesus doesn't need us, but he chose to use us. There is no fallback plan.

So believers, we must be the peacemakers. We must stand in the gap and bridge the divide. And we must do it in the name of Jesus Christ, who gives us authority to speak and act on his behalf.

If we don't do it, no one will.

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