On Saturday 26th March the TUC organised a march in London to demonstrate against the government’s spending cuts. An estimated 250,000 people attended what was initially a peaceful good- natured rally, but an anarchic element turned some areas into a riot situation. BBC News reported on their website, that Police Commander Bob Broadhurst said: "Unfortunately we have had a group of approximately 500 criminals committing some disorder including throwing paint at Topshop in Oxford Street and at the police, and scaring the public who are trying to shop."
‘There have been separate incidents involving a number of protesters, some with their faces covered by scarves, away from the main march:
- A sit-in organised by the campaign group UK Uncut took place at Fortnum & Mason department store in Piccadilly. The group has previously mounted protests against tax avoidance measures by big businesses
- A bonfire was lit by protesters at Oxford Circus, where earlier police said light bulbs containing ammonia were thrown at officers
- Topshop on Oxford Street had its windows smashed and was doused with paint
- Missiles were thrown at the Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly
- Bank branches including the Royal Bank of Scotland were attacked with paint and had windows broken, while branches of HSBC and Santander were broken into.
Scotland Yard said there had been 202 arrests for public order offences, criminal damage, aggravated trespass and violent disorder.’
The questions raised here are ‘Were the organisers justified in arranging the demonstration with the potential of an unlawful element using the occasion to commit acts of violence?’ Answer - Perhaps?
‘Were the rioters justified in stepping over the law and order line to commit serious criminal acts?’ The answer to that is unquestionably, NO!’
The United Nations Security Council felt justified in passing Resolution 1973 of March 18th, against Muammer Gaddafi. The following quote was reported by the Press Association in the Guardian newspaper, ‘The resolution expresses the UN's "grave concern at the deteriorating situation, the escalation of violence, and the heavy civilian casualties", condemns "the gross and systematic violation of human rights, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and summary executions" and says the attacks against civilians "may amount to crimes against humanity" and pose a "threat to international peace and security".
• A no-fly zone is "an important element for the protection of civilians as well as the safety of the delivery of humanitarian assistance and a decisive step for the cessation of hostilities in Libya".
The Bible says in Luke 7:35 “Wisdom is justified of all her children.” Time will tell whether their resolution will work for the good of all the people of Libya, the Middle East and the rest of the world.
The Book of Job is one of the oldest books of the Bible, ch.4:17 asks. “Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?” The answer is obviously NO!
Then in ch.9:2 the question is raised, “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?” That is an excellent question because it leads a person on the path of getting right with God, of knowing all the past failings of one’s life to be dealt with, permanently.
The Epistle to the Romans is presented like a Courtroom scene and it is in that Book that we find the answer for our need in being made just with God. There are three essential fundamental facts for a person to be justified with God.
It is by GRACE. Ch.3:24 reads, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” The source of justification is with God and not with man. His plan of redemption was determined before the world was made, and central in that plan is the Son of God Himself, the “Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.” Rev.13:8
It is by BLOOD. Ch.5:9 declares, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Redemption is by blood and by power; both were at work when God delivered Israel from Egypt, the blood of the Passover Lamb and dividing the Red Sea. The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin; it is the basis upon which God can meet us with forgiveness and cleansing. Not by anything that we could do.
It is through FAITH. Ch.5:1 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith in Christ is our responsibility! We will never be justified with God other than by placing our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. To be justified with God it is all of HIS grace; HIS blood and YOUR faith. Got it? God bless
Written by Stan Burditt for Stephen Baker
No comments
Post a Comment