Bersih 4.0

Street Demonstrations

What’s the True Christian perspective on it (with verses)? Can or not?

*Please take note that the argument below does NOT apply to non-Christians; it’s a purely Christian outlook at it.

Standing up for justice?

If it was the Old Testament, yes; because it was the “right” thing to do.

However, under the New Testament, no; because we’re to do the “perfect” thing.

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:48)

What’s the difference?

The “right” thing to do is to “judge wrongdoers” while the “perfect” thing to do is to “forgive” them out of the “Love of God” leaving Judgment purely in the Hands of the Holy One.

Isn’t it an irony that the “same” Christians who teach ‘don’t judge another’ (e.g. a sinning pastor) are the very “same” ones found in participating or supporting street demonstrations against a country’s leader (judging him/her)?

Isn’t that plain “hypocrisy”?

Next, this brings us to the question,

‘Does the New Testament Scripture permit us to judge Christian leaders or non-Christian ones?’ (should we choose to judge)

Let’s find out:

(1) Remember, you’re “only” allowed to “judge Christians” as this verse underlines this principle:

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church (non-Christians)? Are you not to judge those inside (Christians)?” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 5:12)

Thus, in principle, I cannot be in a street demonstration which is aimed at “judging non-Christians” no matter how corrupt they may be as the verse above implies.

At most, the verse above only allows me to be in a “judging street demonstration” against a ‘false or corrupt Christian pastor or leader’.

(2) Honor the king and the authority set by God even if they’re non-Christian ones.

“Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” – apostle Peter (1 Peter 2:17)

Please note that the king (Jewish or Roman) at the time of Peter’s writing was “not” in favor of Christians. In fact, the kings at that point of time “killed” many Christians and hated Christ.

But yet, the Holy Spirit of God instructed Christians to “honor the king” (the country’s leader) which excludes any possibility of ‘street demonstrations’ to topple them.

Also, if God did “not” allow any revolts at that time when Christians were seriously persecuted, what makes you think that the “same” unchangeable God would allow it in a country which does “not” kill Christians?

(3) Jews rejected Christ primarily because they were looking for a “military type revolt leader” as their messiah (sounds more like what the anti-Christ might be).

Similarly, Christians today are easily mislead by a “false concept of Jesus” where they think that He is speaking to “their pastors/bishops etc” to support ‘street demonstrations’. Really?

What would Jesus do (WWJD)?

Are you really that easily deceived since you think that the “same” Lord Jesus Christ who did “not” support any revolts at the time of “worse oppression” during cruel-Roman rule would now allow demonstrations & revolts against a far more peaceful government (relatively compared)? I don’t think so since He never changes.

In fact, toward such cruel enemies in the past, He taught to “love your enemies” instead and ‘not’ demonstrate or revolt against them.

That’s why a God-fearing Bible-obeying Christian must rather endure evil as a testament of his faith and ‘submit’ (not revolt or demonstrate against) these authorities as instructed below too:

“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.” – apostle Paul (Romans 13:1)

Again I remind you that the authorities to which God instructed a Christian to submit to (during the time when the verse above was written were well known to ‘kill Christians’; our government is “not” even close to being that bad).

(4) Lastly, the Bible teaches to “not resist” even an “evil” person.

To ‘not resist’ includes ‘do not demonstrate against’ in any context as this verse states:

“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:39)

Remember, only those who “obey God” (His Words in the verses) do “His Will” and only those who do “His Will” make it into “His Kingdom” as these verses prove:

“Not everyone saying to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of My Father in the heavens.

Many will say to Me in that the day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’

And then I will declare unto them, ‘I never knew you; depart you from Me, those working lawlessness.’ – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21 – 23)

Note: Lawlessness means “not” obeying the Law especially God’s Laws of conduct as written in the quoted verses above.

Those who teach “lies” (against His Perfect Word) will “not” be justified for the ‘end does not justify the means.’ In fact, where do “liars” go?

“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” – apostle John (Revelation 21:8)

The only way to prove Love is to “obey Him” and endure evil if needed to (not demonstrate to ‘save yourselves’):

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:15)

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:25)

Which Jesus?

The “street demonstration Jesus” or “Lord Jesus Christ of the Gospels”?

A clue: Lord Jesus Christ of the Gospels does “not” teach any ‘self saving or worldly life preservation concepts’ that street demonstrations aim at.

“For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” – apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 11:4)

In conclusion, it’s “your choice” (with consequences):

“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:37)

Remark:

The state of Christianity today may be best described by this verse:

“And why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46)

Remember, your ‘sacrifices’ mean nothing if ‘not’ done in ‘obedience’ (to His Word). An ancient truth resounds as follows:

“But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” – (1 Samuel 15:22)

Yes, “obedience is better than sacrifice”