Currently, as you are probably aware, people are talking about a controversy happening in the NFL over the increasingly popular practice of “taking a knee” during the national anthem. Those who are participating in the taking of the knee claim they are bravely protesting a nation that is oppressive to minority populations, speaking for those who can’t speak for themselves. Conversely, there are those who feel (including the president) that such actions performed by very privileged, wealthy individuals are hypocritical, lacking credibility, and highly offensive to service members who have died protecting the United States and its various freedoms. As many almost certainly are, you might be wondering “How should we respond to this situation? What is the right answer to this problem?” Well … the very first thing I think we need to ask ourselves in any difficult situation is, “What would Jesus do?” Let’s take a look at what Paul says about that:
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! – Philippians 2:5-10
In all of our relationships we need to lead with love; just like Christ did for us; considering others better than ourselves. Love never fails and covers over a multitude of sins. It is our greatest weapon against the enemy. But, we cannot allow ourselves to be naive and undiscerning. Paul directs our attention toward this necessity in his second letter to the Corinthian church:
“… for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore, it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” – 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
Something is happening in our society right now that makes it particularly important for every person to first lead with love, but also to temper our thoughts with knowledge, understanding and vigilance. The apostle warns us about people who purport to be “servants of righteousness,” but are in fact attempting to achieve malevolent purpose. What purpose might that be for us today? In a word … Marxism.
As you may know, Marxism, the foundational philosophy of both socialism and communism, is becoming increasingly popular among Americans in general due to its promises of imminent social justice and fiscal equality; despite that fact that it is demonstrably and virulently destructive; responsible for the deaths of over 100 million people in the 20th century across the Soviet Union, Cuba, Vietnam, China, Nazi Germany, Cambodia, North Korea, etc; and is also currently devastating a number of countries around the world including Venezuela (the nation with the largest confirmed oil reserves on Earth).
When did Colin Kaepernick suddenly start this kneeling phenomenon? Directly after he attended classes at UC Berkeley with a culturally Marxist professor. In virtually all of these cases, from Antifa, to BLM, to taking a knee, Marxists are intimately involved in leading, organizing, or encouraging these actions. Why does this matter? Marxism is fundamentally and vehemently opposed to Jesus of Nazareth. Listen to its founder:
“The social principles of Christianity preach cowardice, self-contempt, abasement, submissiveness and humility, in short, all the qualities of the rabble, and the proletariat, which will not permit itself to be treated as rabble, needs its courage, its self-confidence, its pride and its sense of independence even more than its bread. The social principles of Christianity are sneaking and hypocritical, and the proletariat is revolutionary.” – Karl Marx
The quote, “My object in life is to dethrone God and destroy capitalism,” which is attributed to Marx, is a very succinct expression of what his philosophy and followers have been attempting to achieve for over 100 years.
As followers of Christ, it is our responsibility to seek out and know the truth. Jesus said that if we know the truth, “the truth will set us free.” When the world seems to not make sense, and people are acting abnormally wretched, maybe picking one of the “sides” presented to us isn’t the right course of action. Sometimes we need to look deeply into the circumstances and discover what is really going on behind the scenes.
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves,” said Jesus. Let that be true of us today. I’m pastor Daniel. God Bless.