One Blood

The social media termites have been gnawing away at the tragedy in Charleston last week and doing their very best to deflect us from the fact that nine black Christians were martyred by one white boy who sat with them at prayer then shot them. The social media termites want us to look at the Confederate battle flag, and not at the martyrs and the testimony of our fellow Christian’s at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston and the termites are trying to stir up our anger over a flag. That discussion is a side issue. There is a Proverb regarding social media posts that says, “Pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife” Why would the social media termites be interested in producing strife? [Proverbs 30:33]. But I would remind you that we Christians are all of one blood, regardless of our ethnic backgrounds, and by the blood of Christ we all have been redeemed.

“Splendour and honour and kingly power are yours by right, O Lord our God, For you created everything that is, and by your will they were created and have their being; And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, for with your blood you have redeemed for God, From every family, language, people, and nation, a kingdom of priests to serve our God” [Revelation 4:11, 5:9-10]. 

Instead of becoming indignant over flag waving, whatever the flag, become indignant over what has happened in Charleston. Resolve to let that tragedy and the Redeeming Blood of Christ work a transformation in your heart and join me in praying: “O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” [BCP. p. 100].