Love SA: How to protest biblically?

Love SA: How to protest biblically? We live in interesting times in South Africa. Every night when you switch on the news you will see at least one protest in the headlines (unless you are watching SABC!). There are political protests, student protests, service delivery protests, environmental protests etc. South Africa has been called the protest capital of the world. One newspaper claimed that there are 30 protests a day. Municipal Q reported that there were 164 service delivery protests in 2015. It is rare to turn on the TV without seeing someone toyi toying or waving a placard with many protests descending in violence or being downright disgusting (do you remember the poo protests!). The right to protest in enshrined in the Constitution. So how then do we as Christians react? You will remember that in the first week of this series Pastor Neil addressed how to live with dual nationality being both citizens South African and of the King of Heaven. We saw how being a citizen of the King of Heaven makes you a better South African. How then do we respond to the injustices and wrongs that we see around us? The first thing we have to remind ourselves is that God hates injustice and oppression. 1. God hates injustice and oppression Throughout the Bible we can see again and again how God s heart is towards the oppressed. Isaiah 59.14-16 So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. 15 Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. 16 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. Injustice and oppression are as a result of sin. As humans, we are not very nice to on another our sinful nature allows us to behave selfishly and unjustly to squash one another. (Down pressors instead of oppressors) So often in the Bible God speaks out about how we treat one another, especially the vulnerable in our society and often this is a measuring stick off our faith in Him. Psalm 68. 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. But the sad fact is that we live in a broken world injustice and evil are rampant in South Africa, anywhere in the world. There is no prefect place to live. The world we live in is full of injustice as a result of sin This is the reality that we live in. Just as we live with one foot in the Kingdom of God and another in South Africa we live in a time when evil still has power. Jesus has 1

defeated sin and death, but we still live with the effects of sin until Jesus comes again. So, what do we do? The church has wavered between two extremes throughout the years one option is to ignore the world we live in and say we ll it s not going to get better so there is no point in trying. The other option is to throw ourselves into trying to fix everything which just leaves us frustrated and defeated as it is a broken world. So there has to be a third option. You just have to look around and see that often life is not fair. So what do we do should we toyi toyi, should we have an all-out rebellion and overthrow the government? No before you storm the gates of parliament remember one key characteristic of a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven that contrasts with South African culture God says you must respect the authorities for He has put them in place. 2. God tells you to respect authorities Romans 13.1-2 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Oh Oh so what do we do now. We can see injustices, but we must respect that God has given the authority to our governing authorities what do we do? Doing nothing is not an option, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke) God calls us to action, even though we may not always see the end results we would like. Proverbs 31. 8-9 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. When can we disobey the governing authorities? A difficult question is before us. If a governing authority is twisted and evil think Hitler etc what on earth can we do, when can you disobey the authority God has put in place? Here are two examples from the Bible o When that authority commands you to do something that is against God s rule Exodus 1. 15-20 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live. 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live? 19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, 2

Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive. 20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. Interestedly they basically lied to the Pharaoh, but they could not obey his order. But I notice that they did not stage an all our rebellion, they simply did not follow that specific order that was against God s rule. o When you are commanded not to worship God Daniel 6:7-10 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed. 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing. 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. What was the consequence for Daniel s disobedience he was thrown into the lions den. He did not know in advance that God would save him but He was prepared to face the consequences. Yet Daniel was at all time respectful to the authority over him. I cringe when I hear some Christians talk about the current government in South Africa yes we can see injustices, but God calls us to live by a different standard and part of that standard is respect. We may not like who is in power, but we must acknowledge that they are there with God s permission and for His plan. There are many laws that this country has that are not honouring to God abortion, same sex marriage etc that we as Christians may feel strongly about. Yet I feel that we need to make a difference between laws that give permission to do something wrong and laws that force you to do something wrong. I would like to think that if during the course of this next week somehow a law was issues saying no one can attended public worship that I would see you all here still next week. We must speak out about both the laws that command and permit, but we cannot have an about rebellion. So what then do should we do when we see injustices? 3. God calls you to be part of the solution Many times in the Bible God calls us to be the solution to injustices. James 1. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 3

We are so quick to point out what the government should be doing, but God turns it back on us and asks what are you doing? Start with how you live and treat others Matthew 7. 3-5 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother s eye. We need to examine ourselves, our relationships and our reactions to see that we are not bringers of injustice. The world is a great hypocrite detector and there is nothing easier to squash a testimony about Jesus than someone who says do as I say, don t do as I do. Let you words and actions match. Care for the vulnerable and those facing injustice It is in the church and amongst believers where the vulnerable and the oppressed should find comfort and help. Maybe our voice about abortion laws and campaigning to lower the number of weeks that an abortion can take place at would be more credible if we were known to be a community that adopts and foster kids we need credibility. We could have a stronger voice in the fees must fall campaign if we were creating scholarship and ministering to those students who really cannot make ends meet. Colossians 3. 11-12 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I get so heartsore when I see video clips of protestors outside of abortion clinics I wholeheartedly agree that abortion is not God s way, but to see those women being shouted at and shamed it just makes me cringe. Our war is against injustice and oppression, not against the person. We need to deal in compassion and kindness to come up with solutions and walk with people not shout and shame. Protest with compassion people are not the enemy injustice and evil are. Be an advocate for the voiceless Proverbs 31. 8-9 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. I love these verses in Proverbs I love that it is something you do on behalf of someone else it is not for our benefit. That is a different way of doing things, a Kingdom of God principle. We live in a rights based society yet God calls us to defend not ourselves, but others. To advocate on the behalf of the vulnerable. How do you advocate you speak on someone else s behalf. John Stott said this about Human Rights: Here then is a Christian perspective on human rights. First, we affirm human dignity. Because human beings are created in God s image to know him, 4

serve another and to be stewards of the earth, therefore they must be respected. Secondly, we affirm human equality. Because human beings have all been made in the same image by the same Creator, therefore we must not be obsequious to some and scornful to others, but behave without partiality to all. Thirdly, we affirm human responsibility. Because God has laid it upon us to love and serve our neighbours, therefore we must fight for their rights, while being ready to renounce our own in order to do so. 4. How do you protest in a way that honours God? We live by different standards and by different rules as citizens of the Kingdom of God, so we need to protest differently grounded in a spirit of love and not hatred. Be resourceful There are ways and means of approaching governing authorities every time a new law is being looked at there is a public consultation process. Petitions, peaceful marches etc are all ways that we can protest the toyi toyi is not the only way. All out rebellion is not the only option. We can speak to people of influence if we ourselves do not have influence look at Mordecai and Queen Esther they were able to save the Jews. Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? Be educated Do your research, know what you are talking about, deal with facts not hearsay and rumours. Plenty of resources Family Policy Institute, For SA, Open Doors Be respectful But always be respectful of the governing authorities mockery is fun but not productive. You might gather more supporters but will you make a difference in the end? Be wise James 3. 17-18 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. Seek God s wisdom on the matter His thoughts, His ways are better than ours. Be constructive and creative 5

Be people who come up with solutions not just point fingers at wrongs. It is easy to see a problem, but how could it be fixed, what needs to happen, who will do it, who will fund it? Be prayful Our primary role in advocacy is prayer seeking God s intervention, seeking His wisdom. You know what they say if you have a problem take it to the top! Philippians 4.6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Be practical While you might protest about issues you have to remember the people behind them be prepared to step in with practical, realistic solutions. Be compassionate Above all be compassionate our struggle is not against flesh and blood are war is against evil not against people whom God created and loves What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like. Saint Augustine Do you love South Africa like God does? If so it will let His broken heart move you to action. Will you speak up when you see injustices? Will you commit to compassionate action - caring for those who have been treated badly, interceding with God and the government for changes to systems and laws that hurt people? Micah 6.8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? 6