Ferguson Crisis: Civil Unrest Erupts After Grand Jury Decision
The events in Ferguson, Missouri, highlight Jesus's prophecy: "Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold" (Matthew 24:12).
Police officers in Ferguson at night
Police in riot gear use tear gas to clear the street in front of the Ferguson Police Department after the announcement of the grand jury decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old, Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Despite calls for nonviolence from government leaders including President Obama, scenes of unrest persisted. This reflects a deeper spiritual crisis that affects all of humanity, regardless of age, gender, race, or political belief.
The apostle Peter provides clear direction: "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).
True peace will only come through Jesus Christ's return and establishment of His Kingdom, where "judgment and justice" (Isaiah 9:7) will prevail. Until then, we must examine ourselves and make changes:
- Acknowledge our need for God's direction
- Follow His laws that create peace (Psalm 119:165)
- Stop stealing in all forms, including tax evasion and workplace theft
- Cease lying, including seemingly harmless deceptions
- Avoid adultery, including mental and digital forms
- Control anger, which Jesus equated to murder (Matthew 5:21-22)
We often condemn visible acts of lawlessness while excusing our own subtle transgressions. James 2:10 reminds us that breaking even one point of God's law makes us guilty of all. While we pray for peace in situations like Ferguson, we must also examine and correct our own behavior to align with God's standards.
Remember: societal peace begins with personal transformation through repentance and adherence to God's laws.