All Lives Matter!

The message that “All Lives Matter” is a Biblical message.

The latter half of 2014 was marred by violence in different parts of our country, as protests erupted over allegations of racism within certain law enforcement organizations. It was alleged that, in the minds of some police officers, the lives of black people do not matter as much as the lives of other people. This has prompted some protesters to don t-shirts and carry signs that say, “Black Lives Matter!” Lately, I have seen some who have moved on from that message to one that says, “All Lives Matter!” Whether people realize it, or not, the message that “All Lives Matter” is a Biblical message, which says much more than those who chant it may intend to say.

If there are any in our society who sincerely believe that life (anyone’s life) is cheap and disposable, it is because that is the concept that society has been feeding itself for more than a generation. Since the 1970’s, proponents of abortion on demand have been arguing that the lives of unborn children do not matter and are subject to being snuffed out at any time prior to birth. Since the 1980’s, proponents of euthanasia on demand have argued that the sick and the elderly are a drain on society’s resources and that humanity would be better served if all of them were just brushed aside and terminated. For a much longer time than these, proponents of eugenics have argued that “inferior” forms of human life must be weeded out of our gene pool, so that only the strongest; most viable; “perfect” specimens shall prevail on Earth. Adolph Hitler is one of the most famous proponents of eugenics in history. With all of the disregard for life in our world, is it any wonder that humanity is becoming more violent?

The Bible teaches us that life is a precious gift, which must not be wasted, or thrown away (Ephesians 5:15-16). One’s ethnic, or national background is irrelevent – All Lives Matter. If one is in need, then we all have a responsibility to help and not to turn away (Luke 10:30-37). The path of mercy is always preferable to the path of violence (Matthew 5:7). Every soul is precious beyond all the wealth of this world (Mark 8:36-37). Every life is sacred, and must never be regarded with contempt (Proverbs 6:16-17).

The Bible does teach that Christians may defend themselves against the violence of others (Luke 22:35-38). The Bible also teaches that those who uphold the law may use force to stop those who break the law (Romans 13:4), and that those who take the lives of innocent people may be punished by a sentence of death (Genesis 9:6). But these things, in no way, suggest that people are permitted by the Lord to regard some lives as being more or less important than others. All lives matter!

I am afraid that, as we push God further and further away from our society, we will be inviting the cold embrace of fear, paranoia, and hatred, which will only lead us to increasingly more violence in all lives. Only when we learn and obey the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ will we have peace, harmony and love prevailing in our world. For too long we have tolerated the devaluation of the lives of unborn children. For too long we have entertained the arguments of those who would seek to rid our world of the sick, the infirmed, and the imperfect. Right now, there are two competing views of life in our world: that of the Bible and that of evil. As Christians, we must stand up for the Word of God (Colossians 3:17).

As far as the protests and counterprotests in our land around “All Lives Matter” go, I cannot say who is right and who is wrong, because I do not know. One thing I do know, however, is that injustice is not an excuse for further violence.

• “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
• “Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
• “Recompense to no man evil for evil” (Romans 12:17).
• “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39).

When we are outraged by the violence and oppression in the world around us, more violence is not the answer. People like Ghandi, King, and Mandella opposed injustice in their homelands, but they did so without resorting to violence. My prayer for the current generation is that people will learn from the Bible and from history to love God, and to love their fellow man (Matthew 22:35-40).

• “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the Devil” (Ephesians 4:26,27).
• “Whosoever hatheth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15).

All lives matter and all souls matter. Show the love of God to all. Preach the Gospel to all and save them eternally.

Salvation:  Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully