What would Jesus do (WWJD) about
Derek Chauvin squeezing the life out of George Floyd? Furthermore, what are Christ’s thoughts about
Thomas Lane,
J.A. Keung and
Tou Thaowho are charged with
aiding and abetting Chauvin in Floyd’s murder? The Holy Bible provides the answers:
Murder
Jesus Christ thinks murder is wrong, and according to Revelation 21:8, unrepented murderers will go to hell:
But as for the cowards and unbelieving and abominable [who are devoid of character and personal integrity and practice or tolerate immorality], and murderers, and sorcerers [with intoxicating drugs], and idolatersand occultists [who practice and teach false religions], and all the liars [who knowingly deceive and twist truth], their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Obviously, everyone knows that murder is wrong. And they don’t need the Bible to tell them so, right? Perhaps. But for some reason, Derek Chauvin didn’t appear to think that what he was doing was wrong. Even with three of his subordinates watching. And even while being on a public street.
So how does someone get to the moment that Derek Chauvin did? Seemingly so brazen, so unfeeling, so utterly cocky while committing such a heineous crime?
Heart
Jesus said it begins with the heart. Long before Chauvin murdered George Floyd, his heart had murdered others. You don’t just wake up one day and decide to heartlessly take another person’s life. No, there had been things brewing inside of him for a long time. And it should be a warning to all of us that unchecked anger has consequences. Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 5:
You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
Before You Cast a Stone
So before you cast a stone at Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, J.A. Keung, or Tou Thao, stop and examine your own heart. Do you have unrepented anger? Have your words caused harm?
We don’t like the hard teachings of scripture, but they are no less accurate. The truth of
“let he that is without sin cast the first stone.” is just as viable as the truth of
Jesus Christ’s unconditional love for every human being.
We need to be sure that we are standing on the same side of the fence as Jesus Christ in this terrible tragedy. Because He is paying close attention to our responses.
