If you’ve taken even the smallest look at either the U.S. Constitution or the Declaration of Independence, you’ll notice that the words written there aren’t just the ideas of some grumpy old men, seeking out a power of their own, separate from the crown of England. You’ll also notice in just the same amount of time that they held certain things, such as the belief in a one, true, and loving God, as inarguable truth.
As such, they clearly stipulated that our rights as men and women are not given by mere men but by God himself, as He intended. This means that those rights cannot or should not be taken away. They are ours by virtue of simply being a living, breathing human being and a creation of God.
But it also means that as creations of the God Most High, it is not our right to judge others. His written word even says so in Romans 2:1.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”
That is why those Founding Fathers created a justice system in which the judgment of those accused of wrongdoing is placed before a jury of many peers and where defendants are innocent until proven otherwise.
However, it would seem that quite a few Americans have forgotten about those roots and what our Constitution, as well as our Founding Fathers, had in mind.
In recent days, it seems we’ve seen nothing but judgment, even for those we’ve never met or who aren’t even alive anymore to defend themselves.
And I’m not the only one who’s noticed.
Former Louisiana football star, now Duck Dynasty legend, Phil Robertson wants to remind us that this is not what we are meant to do with our thoughts and actions.
In a recent interview with The Western Journal, Robertson noted that for far too many of us, we feel entitled to call others out for the slightest wrong and then hold them accountable for that, as if forgiveness, grace, and mercy do not and should not exist.
For him and many others, the Black Lives Matter riots that took place in the summer of 2020 are a perfect example of this, as is the cancel culture that has spread like wildfire since.
According to Axios, at least 140 American cities saw riots of this nature in some form or another between May 26 and June 8 of 2020. The damage of burned businesses, homes, federal buildings, and the looting of numerous stores cost somewhere between $1 and $2 billion in damages. And all of it because some people got it in their head that a wrong was being done and it needed to be atoned for immediately.
The problem with that line of thinking is that not only does it not work or draw people to their cause, but it directly contradicts what God says about how we should be living our lives. In fact, according to Robertson, it’s a sign that we have let “the evil one” take over and rule our lives.
So just how should we be living in a world full of hatred and unrest?
Well, as Robertson pointed out, God has the answer for that too. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 says, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
This doesn’t mean you have to just ignore what’s going on around you or that you have to just take it. However, it does mean that violence and hate, even in words, are not the solution. Let me tell you that people will respect your opinion on matters much more and be willing to change their ways if you first prove yourself ready to listen to others and not judge on instinct. It might sound cliché, but the answer is love…
