What’s Worth Fighting For?

248 years ago, 13 American colonies thought independence from Great Britain was worth the fight. They saw King George III as a tyrant. They saw their rights being violated, and taxes were unfairly distributed. There were also restrictions placed on them, preventing them from living in territories they had fought and won during the French and Indian War. A document was drafted and sent to Great Britain declaring independence. This Declaration of Independence meant very little to Great Britain. It took an eight-year war between the colonies and Great Britain before the colonies achieved freedom.

Today, the land of the free and home of the brave is faced with tyranny, unjust taxation, and unfair policies placed on its citizens. This time, the source is not an entity over 4,000 miles away. These injustices are within our own land. The question is, does America still see justice as something worth fighting for?

When Jesus witnessed injustice, he became angry and threw over tables, drove out animals, buyers, and sellers in the temple. He declared that his Father’s house should not be a house of trade. If Jesus, who is often calm and collected, showed anger and disrupted the status quo, what should his disciples do when faced with injustice? As proclaimers of the Kingdom of God, we are to embody Jesus in word and deed. We have a calling to advocate for the poor and those who are marginalized. We are to challenge social, economic, and racial divisions.

As America celebrates another year of independence, we, as a people, need to decide whether the America described in the Declaration of Independence is the America we have today. Furthermore, how far is today’s America from the kingdom God has envisioned for us? God’s righteousness, justice, and peace are worth fighting for. Church, don't you think the people of God need to turn over some tables?

With love, Pastor Candy