Misdirected Passions

We have to be aware that we are called to be servants of the Most High God, and our actions are to represent Him and His presence within us. The Bible tells us in Titus 2:
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ...

We have a reputation to uphold, and that is to serve our Savior and reflect Him - and we have to rely on the Holy Spirit to keep our passions in check.  No cause of this world is greater than the cause to exalt Christ and to reflect His love.  The events unfolding in Washington yesterday can challenge us to make sure that we are allowing our emotions to overcome us so that we engage in behavior that does not bring honor to our Savior. 

+++++

The events that occurred in Washington, where protestors entered the U.S. Capitol in order to disrupt the proceedings in which the results of the 2020 Presidential election were being certified by Congress, have certainly caused great emotion and concern. I would dare say that many went to Washington this week simply in order to stand with the President, clearly frustrated that his contentions about voter irregularities have not received a fair hearing.  But, what occurred, in which demonstrators breached the Capitol, is certainly a terrible representation of the American spirit of democracy. Social media, while consisting of a number of Christian leaders rightly condemning lawlessness and violence, has the typical diet, unfortunately, of criticism for Christians who have supported President Trump.  Each of us has to make sure that our emotions do not get the best of us.  

Ephesians 4 speaks to our demeanor as servants of the Most High God:
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

Writing for WORLD Magazine, Emily Belz reported:

Following a rally with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., to protest the election results, rioters breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in an unprecedented domestic attack on the seat of the U.S. government. As rioters forced their way into the building, outnumbered Capitol Police evacuated lawmakers, staff, and media, including WORLD reporter Harvest Prude.

One person was shot inside the Capitol and died.  Lawmakers were evacuated from the House chamber and the proceedings of confirming the electoral votes was suspended into the evening.  Belz writes:

Just as rioters were amassing outside the Capitol, McConnell spoke against an effort from Republican Sens. Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, and others to challenge the certification of the Electoral College.

“We’re debating a step that has never been taken in American history, whether Congress should overrule the voters and overturn a presidential election,” McConnell said. “If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral.” Vice President Mike Pence, too, said he was unable to unilaterally halt the certification of the Electoral College, infuriating the president.

The National Guard was called up to assist Capitol Police and local law enforcement. Joe Biden, who is to be sworn in within the next two weeks, stated, "“At this hour our democracy is under an unprecedented assault,” adding, “This is not dissent, this is disorder. … It borders on sedition and it must end now.” WORLD stated: that the President told the protesters in a video: "...you have to go home now. We have to have peace, we have to have law and order,” he said. He added, “We love you.”

ReligionNews.com quoted Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Leadership Conference and Johnnie Moore, president, The Congress of Christian Leaders:

“Under these circumstances, there is no conceivable situation where what happened within the U.S. Capitol today is acceptable activity. Violent, anarchist behavior emanating from the far left or the far right is immoral and criminal. It should be summarily condemned — beginning with the President of the United States — and its perpetrators ought to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Those many thousands of peaceful protestors whose first amendment rights have been spoiled by this behavior should go home for their own safety. We are relieved that both the President-Elect and President Trump have now spoken directly to the issue telling protesters in D.C. to go home, calling for peace. We call on all Americans — Democrat and Republican — to unite in prayer for our nation that righteousness and justice, love and faithfulness will guide the heart of our nation (Ps. 89:14).”

Tony Perkins of Family Research Council said, “The violent, lawless actions at the U.S. Capitol building against Congress and Capitol Police are wrong and dangerous for our republic. Lawlessness is not the way, and such actions makes it difficult for law-abiding Americans to fight the good fight. Pray for our Republic!”

Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas, tweeted out: “Disobeying and assaulting police is a sin whether it’s done by Antifa or angry Republicans."

If there is ever a time in which Americans can unite in prayer, it is now.  Unfortunately, the same type of shrill voices who have been critical of believers who would dare support the President are continuing to demean their fellow believers on social media.  The Church can do better, and we have to show that world how we can settle our differences Biblically.