A Christian Response to Racial Tension

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Visit Focus on the Family.com/strengthen families Focus on the Family with your host for this president Dr. Jim Daly John Fuller and with all the terrible violence that we've seen this past couple of days. The sickening sadness and wanted to address that broadcast and we have a couple of guests joining us to help us with John.

This is an important conversation. And yes, our hearts are heavy over the weekend I did work on blog and when you think about it.

The thing that I was so concerned about where the answers you know and then with all the violence breaking out this week seems hopeless. But you know what. In Christ we can have hope and I think that's the core thing is that my biggest concern is that how do we provide hope to hopeless people.

And that's black-and-white. It's both sides.

It's all sides and to me it comes down to that idea of spiritual revival and, especially, though in a culture where the elites shame, people of faith that becomes even more difficult. And I thought it would be great to have a discussion with some good friends of ours today. Yet in the earlier you spoke Jim with Sen. Tim Scott and were in here that first and then limit later today will hear from one of our board members Pastor Al Pittman, Sen. Scott is only the seventh African-American serving in the U.S. Senate history representing the state of South Carolina since 2013 and he was a state representative. Before that, you know, is that conversation Jim had with US Sen. Tim Scott Sen. Scott. It's great to have you with us. Thank you. Around the country and that is it's an honor to be able to speak and the people's lives. And frankly, that's the reason I wanted to have you on quickly to speak to the issue that our nation is then in over the weekend the Sen. I was just heavy hearted because we been around this situation so many times of the last two decades, three decades, particularly with police brutality. I don't know a single person that agrees with the aggressive force that was used against George Floyd.

This is over $20 right counterfeit $20 bill that he probably didn't even know was maybe counterfeit. Think of the cost of the culture into those business owners etc. over 20 bucks. It is sad in every way and that.

Yet I still found myself without an answer on how to move forward from your perspective as a US Sen.

What is going on that we haven't come from the Lord. The question note that we have equally valued in the area of law enforcement in the communities of color that value equal value their and that is not true in every too many incidents and we have a God who's been supportive of the law enforcement community for my entire life will continue to be supportive of the law enforcement community for the rest of my life.

Nothing too many, many law officers who were trying to do the job go home to their families of people within law enforcement that continue to have the foam on the scale it's just hard to digest end and frankly, the history of it is even harder. If not, Mr. Floyd alone for so many incidents where now we can see what others have been saying for at least four decades that I know yeah you know in a blog.

I did a few days ago I simply mentioned it seems like from a Christian perspective, particularly this is like the Gordian knot of mythical dimension in the Gordian knot was the not the could not be untied. It was that's the myth of it. This feels like a Gordian knot. I don't know what we can do and how we can move forward in a human context, it seems like revival and commitment to Christ and forgiveness of one another, letting anger and bitterness go so that we can have a better nation to live in. How do we go that way, how do we get there important changes live to change my life as a kid that was despond into disillusioned about my own value and the value that I had in this country and because of my faith in Jesus 11 years old and every commitment to Jesus 17 years old and then a great mentor who came along in the middle of that who happened to be a white guy who joined forces with my American mother who believe that prayer was the key combinations set me free to live out more of my human potential given by God in some kind of simple and is why am excited about the future of our country. Most of really heavy and that we love and we are confident that the solution can't find a solution but there's good news in the Lord shared it with me yesterday. I a resource that he is the source recognize my job is the problem. My job is to allow the Lord to use me as a part of that solution. Take the weight in the burden off my shoulders.

Not the possibility that the weight in the burden and my burden is light. My responsibility to be set free with the captive. The last several days of anger and challenges in having last night in prayer this morning God and I realize that I have been set free. My goal this year sense of optimism is leaning into solutions will become more apparent as believers are counted in the fight we find ourselves willing to tackle the issues of the heart that we find progress in its what we can look into Proverbs 3 and five and six. It reminded the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and acknowledge him and he shall direct your path may have been directed by the Lord of friendship with a friend of a different color, not just one time, though it meaning and having been the plan to walk along someone of a different race for six months. Right clicking and having fun and how different you and I had several years ago it was about reason is about life and living together as one that members of your board of trustees were talking about our lives in a way that reflects heaven.

It's hard to hate up close what you know to be excited about our future overcome George Floyd and protesters that have nothing to do with George Floyd everything with selfishness yet so will set the other day I was watching the news and I think it was the former NYPD police Commissioner Bernie Kerrick said that last year there were 10 million arrests in the US.

Officers were involved in fatal shootings 1004 times. Of that 41 suspects were unarmed.

That's horrible and you know these police officers. I want to give the disclaimer I get it there making split second decisions about their lives, protection of others and sometimes their errors made.

I get that but within that 41, 19, of the those who were unarmed and shot by police were white, nine were black and I think the point that he made that was so interesting was within that group 89 police officers died, but you know it is.

It's important to emphasize every death.

In that regard, but those numbers kind of suggests while everybody is suffering in some degree with those kind of against split-second decisions that police officers have to make, but speak to that issue that you know some are trying to exploit these bad and poor decisions. And then it kind of inflates everything correct. Look at all legislation to actually understand where the placings are happening when they're happening a lot are happening and what circumstances that we can actually lead to solutions by understanding those statistics that you just mentioned before, I think a part of the understanding of the 19 white folks who were shot unarmed first of the nine black shot on unarmed have not verified them, but I do think that they make a lot of sense my perspective it's to remember that Americans are 12% of the society and like 70% of understand the statistics when you're almost 1/3 of the tops of the population that's a different world, but in that if you're working in a vacuum, or in the myth of darkness have the ability to see true light situation surrounding shooting important research this year last year last decade making progress already not making progress you find hope in the myth of patterns that need to be addressed and it certainly doesn't let anyone off the hook for prejudice and discrimination so I don't want to get that impression is just when you look at numbers they do tell a story you know in the other story is Kerrick went on to say last weekend in Chicago 89 people were shot 19 killed much of that black on black violence and that gets me back to my weekend pondering that you know I think was Sen. Monahan years ago in the 60s did a report on the breakdown of the family. The breakdown of the African-American family, particularly and the consequences of that now you and I are I guess posterior guys about coming out of a single-parent household and you know the Lord. Thankfully, allowing us to succeed, but in that regard. The deck is stacked against most people that come out of environments of difficulty and as an African-American man as a senator when you look at the breakdown of the family how much of a role is this playing in cultural decline call, where Charles Murray ran into some trouble in the 80s and 90s because of the book that he wrote about 6 o'clock coming apart, which made the impact really the devastating impact of the loss of family life after Americans, 72% of kids are growing up in a single-parent household. The new statistic you talk about is like you to know that 40% would like to say that when you see what's happening in this country within the community. Just know that the precursor for the rest of the country. One of the challenges that we have, yes, the breakdown of the family has had a devastating impact on the American community. It is now having a devastating impact on the entire country and will we start understanding that were all in the same boat. If someone poked a hole in it. Sooner or later will drown because were in the midst of the ocean and not in the river in the backyard so I've often said, and I love the fact that you went to the statistics as relates to climate, Chicago, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Detroit those are really important statistics. Another really important to think is to realize that 33,010 related deaths last year, maybe with 36,005% of those that were suicide differently nation. Because of the single-parent households whether it's because your child feel like they're bullied in school.

We should ask ourselves what is the cost to our society of the dysfunction that we start in your childhood that lead and were having manifestations throughout this country of words been leading and that is a serious problem. We need to wrestle with for Americans and one that really takes the death of Jesus Christ and the love that is unconditional to literally saturate the souls of the average person as well as our society. Well, Sen. Scott, you have said it well. I'm so proud to have a friend like you in the Senate what the Lord is done with your life.

Both of us coming from broken homes and I would say to the single-parent moms and single-parent dads your child's destiny is not set in stone. It's just it's just gonna be a harder mountain to climb in both the senator and I have climbed it and it's because of Christ in our life. And that's the way to go is to embrace Christ and to be humble and to learn from him and that I think you would say a hearty amen to that senator out in the light like the light that who experience the American dream brought to me on the shoulders of a praying mother and a powerful mentor. You and I both have the same story that in this country. Anyone from anywhere at any time can rise to the level of Ephesians 320 and 21 that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or imagine.

Let's just get to it that is so well sets.

I would ask our listeners to pray for you specifically leave what can we do other than pray for your letter again that encounter people engage people that are different from you. What else would you suggest our listeners do.

There is something about self flexion examining your heart. Jeremiah 17 speaks to the fact that no one knows the evil in their own hearts not to suggest that were all evil. But to suggest that were all unaware of our own intentions. At times we know ourselves in the light of the Lord, the more we see our actions to be directed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more will have fewer problems to deal with on the outside because they all thought me inside that Matthew that reminds up that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

And I believe James 217, two that are our bodies follow way the mouth leads so glad you're in the Senate sir. God bless you. Thank you Senate ministry. I will focus on the family since early when looking forward to having dinner with you when I'm back in DC.

Let's do a man take care John. We just recorded that earlier today and can is awesome. What is it like that fire. He that's what encourages all of us. His colleague James Langford from Oklahoma. Similar spiritual commitment was a youth pastor at the two of them are friends. I can only imagine what their conversations are like as senators talk about the spiritual dimension of our country, which again so many people that don't know the Lord that serve the country. Then I can have that discussion, let's turn the corner right now. You heard Sen. Scott mentioned the folks in the family board that something we talked about years ago at a dinner he and I had, but it is a privilege and honor to have my former pastor here in Colorado Springs pastor Al Pittman of Calvary worship center here in the Springs join us. He's on the focus board he serves, along with others to make sure that were moving strategically in the right direction that we have the financial integrity that lifts up the Lord's mission for this place and also praise for the staff for me to make sure were doing the job we need to do and how it is an honor to have you here at the table is an honor to be soulless and you don't even listen to that. We just played it.

I think the first question is just what your initial response of what the senator said and were the countries that again as a pastor and as an African-American citizen of this country.

While I agree wholeheartedly with what he said. I mean it's we are in a desperate situation right now as a nation and you know it's a sad time but it's also time I think you for opportunity.

The time for the church to be the church. Inside, I agree with what he said you are will only hold my real hope is faith in Jesus Christ. Sadly for America, absolutely.

And that's the conclusion I had over the weekend just thinking that work where we go from here. It's only hope in Christ, and you hear that intent Scott and I'm hearing it in you. You you are the senior pastor of an ethnically diverse church you got everybody at your church and we just love you in this community for what you do and how you do it and then the zeal that you bring to the pulpit. Your love for Christ. It draws people to your church and it's awesome to see but to pick up that conversation where we go from here. What are we just ask you bluntly as a white man. What am I not seeing that would be helpful for me to understand from you.

My brother in Christ, you, not what you know there's sort of that precondition responds that we see out there people who believe in the world that little white people are the problem actually hurt and anger on the news the other day say that that the problem is really quite people that type of thing, but I think people have to be aware, just as the senator was saying you don't personal reflections they Lord you know David said, search my heart see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way that is everlasting that you will research ourselves we we can't see certain things because we know racism is like a blindness you can't see it but other people maybe can see it in you right end of that week that the best inspector we can go to is the Holy Spirit is the Lord's. I got search my heart and my walking in love and my treating people different to my showing preference for other people in that type of thing that is where we all need to start because the problem is not the scan. It's a sin is a silly it's really is really you know the heart of man, and so is not about getting all white people in America did act a certain way so then we can have a better country and likely will be more free because basically what you're saying to me as an African-American is that you know my salvation is in the way why people treat me or my security how a white people. Treatment is not my security is a Christian now, not as a black Christian but a Christian happens to be black because I live according to God's kingdom levels we living according to the principles of another thing about the kingdom of this world so much like salvation my security. My hope is not, and how someone else treats me it's in my relationship with the Lord we get past this idea and I think this is Tucker Carlson the other night who mentioned this and I thought it was really good. He said listen, if you've had racial thoughts. If you had that kind of bias, and you've offended somebody go to that person and ask for forgiveness. But if you haven't offended somebody because you're not a racist. The color of your skin doesn't determine that your racist. It's an attitude it's not your skin, and there are many, and I think that's the difficulty. There many white people that don't believe there racist and they've never done anything to hold themselves guilty to that you know they've embraced a Christian approach and said I love all people, and I think that's the perplexing nature of this is that we know people who are racist and there's going to be subtle bias. We might talk about that where we look at the looting and the things going on 00 what is happening here and so maybe jump into that discussion about guilt by association and how we have to avoid that. But if you're guilty then do something to compensate for that, Jim.

I couldn't agree more and that I know years ago the great movement across America would people Philip stadiums and and there would be someone upfront like person apologizing for the atrocities of white people in over the last 340 years in America and I always thought it was hit me strange. As you know black American sitting there listening and going know that means really nothing to me, what mean something to me is that if someone comes up to me and says I have been racist against you. Please forgive me. I will citizen your brother things you go to your brother, so going to that individual state I can stand in the stadium was 70,000 people and say hey forgive me, but is harder for me to go knock on your door and say brother I've treated you all and to personally apologize of that suit. I think one of the things that that concerns me today with some of the reaction was in the streets know is that we're in danger.

I think many times and never commit American community of the coming of everything we hate becoming ill. The clan becoming filled with the same hatred that they had toward white people as a clan had toward black people in racist have toward black people.

I think we're in danger of that and I think God calls us in the church to behave according to the principles of his kingdom. So when I sucked in by that same vitriol and hatred that we see out in the streets of once directed toward us is still directed toward us in many ways that now were becoming of everything that we hate nothing this something that we need to be careful of course without Jesus Christ, his heart to know the difference. Pastor outlet. Let's do this. Let's have you pray for the country right now and demonstrate that and again, I'm so grateful that you're my neighbor and that you're in my life end and that your part of focus and I'm grateful for that father in heaven. Lord, we thank you, dear God, that in the chaos that Christ is still king. We thank you Lord that you are not alarmed. You're not having fallen off your throne. Father, we thank you that you are able to Lord to be. You are Lord over the storm so father I pray that your people. This is the time for your people to stand up not sit down to not hide behind the skirts of government but to be bold. I pray that you give boldness to your church not curse the darkness with the light a candle because the enemy has no defense against your great love in the Scripture tells us that we overcome evil with good. So father I pray that for the church. I pray for our nation. I asked that you have mercy on our country.

I pray for leadership that you would give them wisdom I pray for humility in our leadership that they would bend the knee before you to God and father that you indeed Lord will bring healing to our nation.

As you said to the nation of Israel. I am the God healing the Lord you are healing. We cannot heal ourselves. We ask that you help us Lord. Now this hour of desperation. We commit it all to you and we know that you are Lord and your God and your on the throne and we assess all in Jesus name Amen Pastor Al Pittman board member of Focus on the Family, thank you so much for being with us. Thank you obviously want to be in continual prayer for peace in our nation and as you move forward in your thinking and reflection in your heart about this matter of race weave a great book that we want to bring to your attention. It'll help you examine some of the issues inside that's true. John and I want to encourage everyone to get a copy of this is written by former NFL star Benjamin Watson and a good friend of ours called under our skin and that we had broadcast, taking with them some time ago and covered the content of the book and people can get that.

I think in the archives that it's a wonderful resource talking about the issue of race and what needs to be done, at least from Benjamin's perspective, and I think he's got some great ideas in there and will make this available to you. If you can support the ministry Focus on the Family with the gift of any amount will send it as our way of saying thank you. If you can't afford to send a gift in that way will get it out to you because it's an important time to get this right and better understand what's happening with the racial issues that we face in our nation today. Also, when you donate today.

There is a matching opportunity some great friends have put up dollars. I think almost $1 million to match your gaffe.

So if you can send $10 $25 it's going to be a $50 bill doublet dollar for dollar, and that really will help the ministry right now and as Jim said, regardless of your ability to give right now. This isn't a really critical topic for us to get right. And like I said that Jim under our skin getting real about race getting free from the fears and frustrations that divide us and so captures the tone of the day and then Watson writes very eloquently. Let us know you like this book will send it out to your number is 800 K in the word family or check the link in the episode's and there is an element that's come through loud and clear in both of these conversations, Jim, and that is if you do not know Jesus Christ want you to get to know the giver of life and peace and joy and hope. And we have a free booklet online and also send a copy like it's called coming home.

Just ask for that. When you're in touch or look for that online on behalf of Jim Daly and the entire team. Thanks for joining us today for Focus on the Family I'm John Fuller inviting you back tomorrow as we once again have you and your family thrive in Christ.

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