Undoubtedly, you have heard about, read about, seen on
television or in some way come into contact with the controversy surrounding
the death of 17 year old Trayvon Martin. Trayvon’s death is a tragedy, that is
for sure. If not handled properly this tragedy has the potential to create even
more horrendous tragedies. The proper handling of this situation lies in the
hands of the American public at large. Simply put, you the reader, you the
viewer, you the listener and you the “side taker” will determine whether or not
more tragedy lies on the horizon.
The only proper way to react to the Trayvon Martin and
George Zimmerman controversy is according to the truth. The simple truth of this
matter is that a young man has been shot and killed and another man’s life and
future is already feeling the devastating effects of a decision he made,
whether right or wrong. The effects of this situation
are being felt in the hearts, minds and lives of millions of people everywhere.
Our minds have a way of “side stepping” or even ignoring the
truth altogether, especially in regular, everyday situations. You understand what I am saying.
For instance, at school, at work or in conversations with your friends we tend
to have a “what’s true for you is good for you” type of attitude. “Live and let
live” or “to each his own”. You know the attitude I am talking about. How many
times a day have you chosen to ignore the truth? How many times today did you
choose to do something and not stop to think about what would happen? How many
times in your life have you made a decision based on what you think is good for
you? How many times have you made a decision that will affect someone else
without even thinking about it? Saying something you shouldn’t say. Doing
something you shouldn’t do. Going somewhere you shouldn’t go. Thinking
something that you shouldn’t think.
We are all guilty of making careless decisions. Our ignoring
of the truth or our “to each his own” mentality is quickly gotten rid of when the
terribly unthinkable happens. Suddenly when the truth of death comes crashing
down on our lives with a sobering reality we realize the truth. We realize that
we might be next. Suddenly, things begin to matter more. Suddenly, our minds
start to react and think differently about regular, everyday situations.
Trayvon Martin didn’t think his trip to the store would result in his own death.
George Zimmerman didn’t think that his routine, evening neighborhood watch would
result in his shooting another human being to death.
My question to you dear reader is “whose side are you on”? I
am not asking if you are on Trayvon’s side or George’s side. I am asking will
you take your side or the Truth’s side. Will you side with your own thoughts
and desires? Or will you side with the truth? You will give an account of every
action one day to the God who created you. At the end of each day this is what
will weigh the value of your life. Every thought, every word, every action, no
matter how small or insignificant you thought it was, it will come into
judgment on that final day when you die. When will your next trip to the store
be your last? When will your next decision tragically change your life or
someone else’s life forever?
We may never know the whole truth or all the facts
concerning the death of Trayvon Martin, but I can guarantee you two things that
are absolutely true concerning this controversy.
First, on February 26th 2012 at approximately 7 p.m. Trayvon Martin died and then immediately stood before the Lord Jesus Christ and gave an account of his entire life. You see it is appointed for men to die once, and then comes the Judgment. God was not taken by surprise at the death of Trayvon Martin. God allowed Trayvon's life on this earth to expire on exactly that day at exactly that time. God has ordained a time for you to die as well. Are you prepared to die? One day you will take your stand before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He will precisely execute judgment on all your thoughts, words and actions.
Secondly, George Zimmerman one day soon will give an account
of every thought, word and action from that fateful day on which he made the
decision to pull the trigger. Whether right or wrong every action will be
called into Judgment by Almighty God. You see, Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman
and you all have something in common. You have all broken God’s Laws. You have
all heard the voice of your conscience and ignored it. You have all made
decisions to do things, say things and think things that you should not have
done, said or thought. When will you take your stand before the Lord Jesus
Christ? What will you do with your thought life? What will you do with the
words you should not have said? What will you do with all the things you should
not have done? Where will you go? To whom will you go?
Many around the country are crying out for “justice for
Trayvon”. What they do not know is that Trayvon has already met perfect
Justice. My hope is that before Trayvon died he met perfect Mercy and Love so
that perfect Justice could be satisfied.
Many around the country are crying out for George Zimmerman
to be brought to justice. What they do not understand is that George and every
person will give an account according to perfect justice on that final Day.
God will judge your life with perfect Justice. Jesus Christ
is living proof that God is a righteous judge. Jesus Christ is living proof of
the perfect justice of God. You see Jesus never “side stepped” or ignored the
truth. This man spoke like no other man had ever spoken before or will ever speak again.
Jesus never lied or ignored the truth, but He always spoke the truth in love.
What about you? Do you tell the truth?
Jesus never did anything without considering the outcome of
His words or actions. He always did the will of His Father in Heaven. What
about you? Do you bring your thoughts in line with what you know God has
commanded? Or do you ignore your own God given conscience?
Jesus Christ never made a careless decision. He always loved
His neighbor as Himself and always loved God with all of His heart, soul, mind
and strength. What about you? Do you even know your neighbor? Do you know God? Do
you love to keep God’s commandments? Or are His commandments a burden to you?
Whose side are you on? Your side or God’s?
You see death didn’t come crashing down into Jesus’ life
with a sobering reality causing Him to change His ways. Jesus came into this
world to die. Every thought, word and action of His was done to glorify His
Father in heaven. Jesus came into this world to demonstrate God’s righteousness.
Look at His life. Now, compare this Man’s life to yours. How do you compare? Do
you really love your fellow man? Do you really love God? I know you go to
church. I know you give to charity. I know you’ve been baptized. I know you are
a good Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Pentecostal or
Non-Denominational believer, but are you a follower of Jesus? Do you keep His
commandments? Have you given up your life to follow Christ? Do you live a life
of truth? Do you love God and love your neighbor the way Jesus did and said?
Jesus didn’t only come into the world to demonstrate the
righteousness of God, but He also came into the world to save sinners. Jesus
wasn’t surprised by death like Trayvon Martin was that fateful Sunday evening. Jesus wasn’t surprised by
death like you will be. Jesus wasn’t taken back when the world called for His
death. He came to give His life a ransom for many. He had the power to lay His
life down for His sheep and to take it back up again. Are you afraid to die?
What will you do with your sins on Judgment Day?
Whose side are you on? There is only one right answer. You have
only one hope. You can only go one way for what you really need and must have.
Your bad decisions, careless words, thoughtless actions and sins against God
must be forgiven. God will not overlook your sins on the Day of Judgment. God
will pour out His wrath on all of His law breaking enemies. What will you do?
Where will you go? To whom will you run when death comes knocking on your door?
Despite all the hatred and controversy, there is really good news. Jesus Christ died for sinners. He died and rose
from the grave three days later. He conquered death. He died for bad decisions,
careless words, thoughtless actions and all your sins against God. He died that
you might be forgiven. He rose again that you might stand before God on
Judgment Day with a perfect righteousness that is not your own. Jesus died and
rose again so that you can be restored to God. So that you can live the way you
were designed by Him to live. Jesus died, rose again and still lives so that
you can love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your
neighbor as yourself.
Trayvon Martin did not live to see February 27th.
Will you live to see tomorrow? You are not guaranteed another moment on this
earth. The bible says “today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts”.
Today is the day of salvation. Jesus said, “Come to me all you are weary and
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Whose side are you on?
Will you agree with God that you have
sinned against Him and deserve Hell? Or will you say, “nobody’s perfect”?
Will
you be truthful with your heart and soul and see that you are a wrath deserving
sinner? Or will you say, “I’m not that bad”?
Will you cry out to God for mercy
today? Or will you go your own way?
Will you ignore the call of Christ to turn
from your sins and trust Him and Him alone? Or will you listen to the call of
the world that will take you straight to hell?
It’s time to pick sides. Forget about the controversy of
tomorrow, today has enough trouble of it’s own. Whose side are you on?
