In a world filled with protests, activism, and cries for justice, it’s easy to get caught up in the energy of the fight. I have myself.

But have you ever stopped to wonder if we’re playing the wrong game entirely?

Here’s a hard truth: we can become the very thing we oppose—just under a different label. It’s the same pendulum, just the opposite side.

So, what’s the better way?

The Jesus Way

Jesus played an entirely different game.

The Jews expected Him to overthrow Rome—their oppressors. But instead, He laid down His life and was crucified. Why? Because He came to win a victory—not by the world’s standards, but by a different world’s standards.

That’s our example.

What would it look like for us to follow that example today? Could it be that the real victory lies in playing a different game altogether?

The Problem with Fighting the Same Way

Today, we see protests and activism driven by the same energy they aim to fight. This only perpetuates the cycle, fueling the very thing they oppose.

The result?

Temporary moments of peace, followed by the same issues resurfacing. It’s like cutting the fruit off a tree without addressing the root—it always grows back.

This is why so many human efforts at change—whether political, social, or cultural—fail to last. Even when the world wins a victory, it’s often short-lived because it’s based on power, not love.

Love, not force, is the only power that can break the cycle of oppression and bring lasting change.

Protests and activism have their place and can highlight injustices, but their lasting impact depends on the heart and the approach behind them. When rooted in God’s love, they bring real transformation.

Jesus’ Radical Example

Jesus didn’t fight power with power. Instead, He addressed the deeper problem—the human heart.

He chose surrender over retaliation, love over force. And in doing so, He didn’t just address symptoms; He destroyed the root of sin, religion, and hate.

His example shows us that true victory comes not through protest or force, but through humility, forgiveness, and sacrificial love.

“But doesn’t surrender mean letting injustice win?”

Surrender doesn’t mean endorsing injustice. Jesus’ surrender on the cross wasn’t passive; it was a calculated act of obedience that destroyed the power of sin and death. True surrender allows God to bring justice in His way and His wisdom.

Surrender isn’t weakness; it’s a bold declaration that God’s way is greater than our own.

Jesus wasn’t indifferent to injustice—He stood for truth and cared deeply for the marginalized. But He knew that true change starts from within. His mission wasn’t just to change the world’s systems, but to change hearts.

The Kingdom Way

This is the wisdom of the Kingdom:

• You die to live.

• You give to gain.

• You go down to go up.

• You humble yourself to be exalted.

• You lose your life to find it.

• You serve to be great.

• You serve to lead.

It’s the upside-down nature of the Kingdom that defies logic. It doesn’t make sense to the natural mind or even the religious mind. Yet it is the way of agape—God’s selfless, sacrificial love.

The Kingdom way isn’t about avoiding action—it’s about choosing action that transforms from the inside out.

“What about practical action? Isn’t love passive?”

Love isn’t passive. Jesus’ love drove Him to heal, serve, and ultimately sacrifice His life. Similarly, Kingdom love empowers us to take Spirit-led action that reflects God’s heart and brings lasting change.

The Kingdom way isn’t easy, and it often looks foolish to the world. But it’s the only way that brings real, lasting change. It’s not about avoiding action—it’s about choosing the kind of action that reflects God’s heart and transforms lives.

The Problem with the World’s Approach

When activism and protests aren’t rooted in agape, they inevitably fall into the same cycle they seek to oppose. Good intentions can only go so far without the wisdom of God’s love.

The world fights for change on its own terms, but it’s like playing the wrong game. Even when it “wins,” the victory doesn’t last because it doesn’t deal with the root issue—the condition of the human heart.

Jesus didn’t just change systems; He changed hearts—and that’s where true transformation begins.

“But isn’t activism necessary to bring awareness?”

Awareness is important, but it’s not the end goal. Activism that flows from God’s love can bring attention to issues while pointing to His transformative solutions, rather than perpetuating cycles of division and conflict.

Why People Resist the Jesus Way

The Jesus way, with its call to love your enemies, forgive those who hurt you, and humble yourself, can feel deeply challenging. In fact, many people resist it or take matters into their own hands for several reasons:

• The Desire for Immediate Results The Kingdom way of love, humility, and service doesn’t always offer quick, visible results. In a world that values instant gratification, it can be hard to trust God’s timing. People may feel frustrated by the slower process of transformation and prefer to take control to see quicker, more tangible outcomes.

• Human Nature’s Desire for Control Taking matters into our own hands is often about control. The world values power, self-reliance, and force. Surrendering, as Jesus taught, can feel like losing control. But God’s way often asks us to trust His plan and relinquish control, which can be difficult, especially when we don’t see the bigger picture.

• The Fear of Appearing Weak The Jesus way of humility and forgiveness often appears weak or passive to the world. In a culture that equates strength with aggression, it’s hard to embrace the radical love and humility of Jesus. People resist it because it feels like surrendering to weakness rather than confronting injustice with power.

• Cultural and Societal Pressures Society celebrates loud activism, protests, and visible action. The quieter, more internal work of humility, love, and surrender is often overlooked. People feel the pressure to conform to more dramatic methods of change, rather than the radical, transformative love of Jesus.

• The Complexity of True Forgiveness Forgiveness in the face of injustice can be incredibly difficult. It’s not about excusing wrongs, but about releasing vengeance and trusting God. Many resist forgiveness because it’s emotionally challenging and doesn’t seem to bring immediate justice.

• Unresolved Pain and Hurt People may take matters into their own hands when they have unresolved pain. It’s natural to want to protect yourself or retaliate when you’ve been wronged. But Jesus’ call to forgive and love can feel like allowing your pain to go unaddressed. Many prefer retaliation instead of dealing with their wounds through God’s healing love.

• Misunderstanding of the Jesus Way Some resist the Jesus way because they don’t fully understand it. They might see it as naive or impractical in a harsh world. Jesus’ call to love and serve doesn’t always make sense to worldly logic. People may not realize the depth and power of God’s love in transforming hearts and systems.

• The Influence of the Enemy Ultimately, resistance to the Jesus way also comes from spiritual forces that oppose God’s Kingdom. The enemy seeks to deceive us into believing that power, anger, and self-reliance are the only ways to gain victory, keeping us trapped in cycles of division, bitterness, and retaliation.

A Higher Path

Jesus calls us to something better. Instead of engaging in the endless cycles of conflict and retaliation, we’re invited to live in the wisdom of heaven. This is a higher path—a path where love triumphs over hate, humility over pride, and forgiveness over revenge.

True greatness is found in serving others, not in gaining power over them.

This is the way of the Kingdom. It’s not easy, and few choose it. But when we do, we stop playing the world’s game and start living in the victory Jesus already won.

“Doesn’t forgiveness let people off the hook?”

Forgiveness isn’t about excusing wrongs but about releasing the need for personal vengeance. It trusts God to bring justice and sets us free from the bondage of bitterness.

This doesn’t mean we stop engaging with issues—it means we engage differently. For example, instead of reacting in anger during a protest, you could be the one to offer prayer and peace. Instead of holding grudges in conflicts, you choose forgiveness, opening the door for reconciliation.

Here’s How You Can Start:

• Choose love over retaliation. Instead of reacting to offenses, respond with grace.

• Pray for your enemies. Jesus forgave those who crucified Him. We’re called to do the same.

• Serve others, even when it costs you. True greatness in the Kingdom comes through serving.

• Ask God for wisdom. Before engaging in activism or protests, seek His guidance and perspective.

“Isn’t focusing on love avoiding the hard issues?”

Focusing on love isn’t avoidance—it’s engaging at the deepest level. God’s love addresses the root issues that human efforts can’t, bringing true and lasting transformation.

When individuals are transformed by God’s love, they bring that love into every sphere of influence—family, workplaces, communities, and even systems. Lasting change happens when hearts are changed first.

Choosing the Kingdom way doesn’t mean ignoring or accepting oppression—it means resisting it with the power of love, truth, and humility. This resistance is often more powerful than any act of retaliation.

Conclusion

In a world that constantly demands action and activism, we must ask ourselves: are we playing the right game? The world’s way of fighting back, driven by power and force, only perpetuates the cycle of conflict. We can never heal, fix or save ourselves – that's why we need a Saviour. And not just for salvation, but for every aspect of life.

Jesus showed us a better way—one that focuses on transformation from the inside out. By embracing humility, love, and surrender, we align with God’s wisdom and Kingdom power, breaking the cycle of oppression and bringing lasting change.

Choosing the Kingdom way is not easy. It may seem foolish to

the world, but it is the only way that brings true victory. And He has given us Himslef so that we can live in this reality.

It's possible.

Let’s walk in the love, humility, and peace that Jesus modeled, knowing that His way is always the better way.

And if you are already participating in activism or protests from the foundation of agape, you've already won – if you understand what I'm saying. The power of love changes everything, even in the midst of struggles for justice.

"He who has an ear to hear, let him hear."