How Should We Respond to the Murder of George Floyd?

May 25th our nation was horrified when George Floyd was murdered in cold blood. Let us: Pause. Breathe. And let us thoughtfully cry to God for help. He abhors racial violence. It must stop.

First, we need God’s help to move in wisdom to honor the memory of George Floyd, a man of peace who was deeply loved. 

It’s time to lay aside rhetoric and blame. You and I were created to give glory to the Eternal King. He alone has the right to vengeance. And make no mistake. He will act. But He calls you and me to unity. To love each other and wash each other’s feet. 

Let our grief honor George Floyd as we honor his family and loved ones in their grief. Let us honor principles that guided his life. Let us unite peacefully across racial, religious, and party lines to stand together to see the walls of injustice, prejudice and hatred broken down in the name of Jesus Christ.

I believe Floyd would be grieved that in his name, violence, the murder of David Dorn, and multiple attacks on police officers have occurred. If he could return, I think he would call all of us, regardless of race, to fall on our knees in repentance to implore God to forgive and heal our land. 

We are brothers and sisters. We have one father, Adam. One mother, Eve. We are created in the image of God, who is Love. Regardless of our background, each person on this planet is stamped with God’s image.

Imago Dei! No one is superior. No one is inferior. No one is designed or destined to be a slave! God wants sons. Satan wants slaves. 

You and I descended from Noah and his wife. God used them to do a new thing as He created the beauty of races. From one family. Again, let me say: you and I are brothers and sisters. We  share the same lineage. Each person is incredibly valuable. 

But we each have sinned. God in His great love, sent Jesus – the Word become flesh – to be the servant of each boy and girl, each man and woman, regardless of color. Jesus died to redeem and make us sons and daughters of one Father. To live in unity and love – even as I believe, George Floyd longed to see.

If Jesus is your Saviour, regardless of your race, political party, your denomination, ethnicity, or gender – you bear the image of Jesus Christ. 

When you look at another person, you see one who bears the image of God Almighty. 

If he or she is a believer in Jesus, regardless of denomination, they bear the image of Jesus. When you lash out – you lash out to deface Jesus. Regardless of what the person did, to strike him (or her) – is to strike Almighty God, whose image he bears. Murder is detestable. 

George Floyd bore the very image of God. He also had the image of Jesus. As he was murdered – the assault hit Father God, Jesus the Son, and the precious Holy Spirit.

It’s time to see each other as brothers; not as enemies. Time to lay down anger, rage, fear and sense of injustice to bow in humility. To worship the Author of Love, of diversity, of forgiveness, of grace, mercy, and justice. 

Many have suffered trauma over these last three months. Today we are grieving. Our nation is at the breaking point. As we divide along political and denominational lines – refusing to hear or love our brothers and our sisters – we embrace anger and self-righteousness.

The anger of man cannot work God’s righteousness (Ja 1:20). Social injustice can only be ended if we humble ourselves and seek God’s face. He bids you and I, as a people, to repent. Turn from our wickedness. Let go of intolerance. Let go of vengeance. Our vengeance always hurts innocent people.

Today, we’re in the midst of an epidemic of trauma. Brother Floyd calls us to peace and compassion; to stand united to see walls of injustice fall. 

Jesus calls us to shake the kingdom of darkness by bowing at Calvary. Forgive. Learn to love as He loves. Let us stand fast in one spirit, with one mind to see the Holy Spirit move through our land and bring healing.

There is one Body. One Spirit. One hope. Joined to Christ, we are one with Him. There is no division.  The Holy Spirit baptizes us into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles. Blacks or Whites, bond or free. We are one in the spirit. No one is greater than another. No denomination holds God’s favor.

In Christ, who is our peace, we are made one, He has broken down the middle wall of partition between us. (Eph 2:14) 

In Christ, walls of hate and injustice are broken down. Brothers and sisters. Let us lay down our anger, our judgment and stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel. The priority is to love. Love doesn’t demonstrate favoritism. Love sees beyond labels. It sees beyond race, color, gender, creed or political parties.

Let us honor George Floyd by laying aside prejudice. Let us “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3).

Terrence and the family of George Floyd call us to peace, not to protest. In the midst of deep suffering, they hold fast to their faith in God.

Let us honor them by moving beyond anger and protest, to walk in unity. At the same time, peace does not mean silence. Let us honor Jesus by walking in genuine love, in peace, and in unity.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)