Greg Laurie Discusses the Role of Faith in Justice Reform with Sen. Tim Scott

Greg Laurie, pastor and founder of the Harvest churches in California and Hawaii and of Harvest Crusades, had a candid conversation about faith, racial reconciliation and justice reform with Sen. Tim Scott. The interview, recorded for Harvest's church services last weekend, touched on the subject of police reform ahead of the Senate's unveiling of the JUSTICE Act today.

In their discussion, Sen. Tim Scott and Laurie both condemned racism and applauded what Sen. Scott calls "character-driven law enforcement." The two addressed the importance of balance in police reform and the struggle that comes with being simultaneously anti-racist and pro-law enforcement.

"I believe God has established law enforcement. I believe racism is a real problem in our country. And I think we need to talk about it. And I don't know why you have to be in one camp or the other," said Laurie.

"I can be pro-law enforcement and pro-communities of color. You can be both," agreed Sen. Scott, and later continued, "God is not colorblind. He actually loves diversity. He embraces diversity, and we should too, and we should treat each other according to Matthew 22, verse 39. We should treat each other as we would want to be treated."

Sen. Scott shared that ultimately his relationship with Christ is what motivates and strengthens him to continue the fight against racism. He and Laurie agreed that God must be invited into the conversation if society is to seek lasting change.

"So if we're going to treat the subject right, we have to view it not from my view up, but from the Lord's view down, and that's the best way for us to make progress in this nation. And unfortunately, most of us are picking sides," Sen. Scott said.

He continued, "Choose [the Lord's] side. And I don't mean to be overly religious because in my opinion, this is not about religion. This is about a personal relationship that transformed the way I see others because it first transformed how I see myself. And if I will take that new transformed self, who, before I was saved, I was filled with iniquity, driven by sin, driven by my instinctual luxuries or lusts, so to speak. Now, as a born again believer, I'm driven by the gospel of Jesus Christ, so I don't look for a black solution or a white solution or a blue solution. I look for a God solution. And that means I have to start there, end there and in the middle, stay there."

Watch the full interview here.

 

 

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