Reason #2, Discontentment & Bitterness
On June 2, 2020 two record industry executives, Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang, sparked the Black Out Tuesday movement in order to encourage people to strengthen their knowledge of the social, political and economic plight in America. They were fighting for “long standing racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard” (Hissong). This came on the heels of the well-known George Floyd incident. Many “blacked out” social media profiles showed support. These executives were specifically fighting for more opportunities of career advancement and resources within the walls of the record industry and beyond. Yet, today if the poorest 20% of America were a nation, it would be one of the world’s richest (Agresti). Truly God has blessed Americans well beyond the necessities of life. The reality is that most people in America are rich. The worldly pursuit for more and more resources is a hallmark of American social justice movements. This revolution is born from attitudes of bitterness and discontentment with God’s provisions.
Contentment: A Christian Virtue
Christians living in America who take up the mantles of the American social justice movement are particularly vulnerable to the temptations and sins common among that group: discontentment, envy, covetousness, and bitterness. Jesus warns His children to guard their hearts from such things. The Christian is expected to be content with his food and clothing (Lk. 12:23; 1 Tim. 6:8). Furthermore, woes (curses) fall on those who desire for more and more wealth and resources (1 Tim. 6:9-10). Is it the work of the church to elevate the social, political, and economic statuses of people in the world? Should Christians join the clamoring activists who rail against authorities in order to get their demands met?
“One in the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ But He said to him, ‘Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?’ And He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness’” (Lk. 12:14-15).
Many Americans have begun to trust and grow haughty with their uncertain riches (1 Tim. 6:17-18). They have “yielded plentifully and desire bigger barns” (Lk. 12:17). Many have placed their trust is stuff instead of in the living God. Indeed, Jesus’ statement rings very loud and clear in America, “How hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:23-24). America’s social justice activism promotes envy and discontentment with God’s provisions. It also has clearly produced deep rooted bitterness.
The Anti-Virtues of Social Justice
As one listens to the speeches of the social justice activists, he will quickly notice overtones of bitterness and envy. Many of them will defend the theft of property by claiming the stolen materials are reparations for past and current grievances. It seems they have eaten and drunken wormwood (Deut. 29:18; Amos 5:7). Envy is a sin which should not be taken lightly. It is the reason dissatisfied and embittered people handed Jesus over to be crucified (Matt. 27:18)!
Furthermore, the activists’ obsession with power and identity politics is a work of the flesh. They are locked into contentious group identity battles. According to the wisdom of the sociologists and academics, the most important aspect of a person’s life is his intersecting identities based on his race, gender, and sexual orientation. The goal for each identity group is to fight for the moral high ground. In doing so, they achieve power. Achieving moral authority in America comes from owning the most intersecting victim identities. For example, according to the sociologists, in all Western societies a black man is deemed to be an oppressed victim while a white man is an oppressor. But a black woman has higher moral authority because she has two intersecting victim statuses, namely, her gender and race. Still, the black-female-lesbian holds a trifecta of oppression and has even higher moral authority. Now, the stage is set, and the strife begins between all groups for who will seize power and lay claim to more social, economic, and political resources. This concept of intersectionality is all about subjective views of which group has power and wealth and which group is oppressed by them.
When Social Justice Goes to Church
The church must be wary of deceptive identity politics creeping its way into the church through its change agent activists. This theory of power in relation to oppressor and oppressed identities is a venom to any institution. It only fosters ungodly attitudes of bitterness, discontentment, and division.
In contrast to the divisive identity politics of the social justice movements, the preeminent identity ascribed to all men is that of a sinner. In response to accepting this identification, God expects repentance; else, each will receive the justice he truly deserves in eternal punishment. The one who believes in Jesus, repents of his sins, confesses Jesus’ name, is baptized for remission of sins, and lives faithfully until death is graciously forgiven and promised a home in heaven. The Christian is also given grace and help through his sufferings in this life.
What Christ Did and Didn’t Promise
As a Christian lives in appreciation for his newfound favor, he is expected to put on an attitude of thankfulness. He is commanded to be in a content state of mind with the provisions God supplies. A Christian will allow these godly attitudes to rule his heart. He will also shun bitterness and discontentment. He will be content with food and clothing. God doesn’t promise a climb up the executive ladder.
“For we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world. But with food and clothing with these we will be content” (2 Tim. 6:7).
“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Col. 3:15).
Moreover, as the Christian goes through difficult trials and tribulations, Jesus doubly warns him against bitter envy springing up in his heart.
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Lk. 12:15).
Make Your Choice
Today, each person must make a choice. His choice will shape his attitudes in the direction of the social justice mindset or in the direction of Jesus Christ. On the one hand, a person can choose Jesus and His gospel mission and, with joy, carry His light burden with a thankful heart through his trials. On the other hand, many will carry the heavily weighted burdens of the social gospel and, with bitter discontentment, struggle through his sufferings in life in order to find purpose? Each must make his choice which will affect the eternal state of his soul.
Christians understand that no one is promised social justice on this cursed earth. Yet, American culture would have you believe that you’re entitled to it. But God never promised anyone a good education, access to health care, optimal health, riches, becoming a homeowner, refrigerators and pantries full of food, owning a car, having access to public transportation, comforts, ease, food stamps, government housing, heating and air conditioning, and access to all manner of resources. No one is promised his subjective idea of economic, social or political standing in life. A survey of the Bible reveals that God willed some of His children to be poor, few rich, some male, some female, some Jewish, some Gentile, some enslaved, some masters, some noble and most of them despised and marginalized. And yet, despite all of life’s difficult circumstances, the child of God can have a peace which surpasses all understanding and a cup that runs over with joy. Nevertheless, the American social justice movement discourages holy attitudes in exchange for a focus on the pursuit of power and money. It can only gender strife and sow discord.
“Pursue peace with all people and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:14-15).
This series is written by Michael (Mike) Hernandez and is endorsed by Five Minute Bible Study. If you have any questions about the subject, you are welcome to contact Mike at michaelhernande@yahoo.com.
References
Agresti, James. “The Poorest 20% of Americans are Richer on Average than Most Nations of Europe.” Justice Facts, https://www.justfacts.com/news_poorest_americans_richer_than_europe
Hissong, Samantha. “Blackout Tuesday’s Founders Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang-Future 25.” Rolling Stone Magazine, https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/features/blackout-tuesday-jamila-thomas-and-platoon-brianna-agyemang-future-25-1079717/
