By Rev. Dr. J. Loren Russell
Isaiah 58:6-8
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily.”
In a nation that is on the precipice of an election that is one of the most contentious in our history, it is critically important that faith prevail over politics.
There are many critical issues that are being debated with vigor, all of which can be addressed scripturally. There are a number of issues that have divided the nation not only politically, but theologically as well. It is an election that calls to question the sanctity of life, that for some means life in the womb, and for others, people like me, who argue that life begins before the womb and extends beyond the tomb. Both agree that life must be preserved. Everyone knows that life begins in the womb, but life goes beyond birth. It should go on to experience the abundance of life Christ came to give (John 10:10). It is imperative that life in this nation be free of deprivation, food insecurity, joblessness, homelessness, hopelessness, inadequate or unavailable healthcare, systemic and environmental racism, and even man-made climate change.
With systemic racism becoming a central issue in the nation, protests have become common place. Most are and have been peaceful, while others were just antagonistic and violent. We cannot have leadership where peaceful protestors are treated like anarchists and militant groups are praised. We must have leadership that affords everyone a living wage if they work. We must have leadership that is willing and will enact reforms to the criminal justice system so that it provides fair and equitable treatment. We must have leadership that is committed to correcting the racial inequities that have been ignored far too long. We must have leadership that utilizes all of its resources to battle into submission anything and everything that prevents us from living up to our greatest ideal as a nation where “all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
The challenge we face in reaching this lofty ideal is our own willingness to seek repentance, give restitution, and allow for restoration. This litmus test is in line with the challenge the Lord presented to the people who heard the prophet Isaiah. He challenged them by asking if there fasting was “To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?”
This is a spiritual and scriptural mandate that demands addressing the ills of our nation, the needs of the poor, free those who are entangled in the criminal justice system, to provide relief to the oppressed, and eliminate from existence systemic racism.
John Lewis, the recently deceased member of the House of Representatives and former civil rights activist, wrote an article where he had eloquently proclaimed, “You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation.”
The challenge is great, but the rewards will benefit the entire nation, and as the United Sates goes, so goes the world. Let your faith supersede your politics.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; and creator& host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 pm LIVE on J Loren Russell and Matters of Faith Facebook groups.
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