Jonathan Isaac won't kneel before games because "real change" comes from Jesus.,,,
He’ll kneel in prayer to God, but NBA star Jonathan Isaac has drawn worldwide attention for refusing to join players in taking the knee before games.
The Orlando Magic basketball forward drew criticism from supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement that spawned the grounded-knee gesture, but he’s literally standing up for his beliefs.
The 6ft 10in 24-year-old stands tall against opposition to his stance because it stems from his deep faith and the belief freedom can only be found in Jesus.
“Any political structure or ideology doesn’t, in itself, have the necessary tool for salvation, which is what I ultimately believe is what everybody needs,” explained Isaac.
“I can see racism is not the only thing that plagues the hearts of men. But I know, based on what I’ve experienced, the gospel is what changes the hearts of men.
“In the moment of standing in the bubble, I’m saying, ‘Look, I see all the things that you see, but I cannot think of a greater message for the times we’re living in than the gospel’.
“I believe that if we can choose to love people the way God loves us – which is in spite of our faults, in spite of our mistakes, in spite of our sin – and we choose to forgive people the way God forgives us and ultimately get back to God in the first place, we can have the real change everyone is aiming to get to, but is trying to do by alternative measures.”
Isaac sees parallels in his reasons for standing and God’s forgiveness.
“From the Christian perspective, we have all been at a place where we were outside of Christ. Ultimately, the only reason we’re Christian in the first place is because God loved us first.
“Yes, justice is important and people should have to face the consequences of their actions, but if I’m in a situation where my sin is caught on tape and everybody has seen it, I would want mercy. And so I’m going to give mercy in that situation.
“There isn’t another answer outside of finding your identity in Christ that is sustainable and worthwhile.”
Isaac found his own Christian identity after a comment from a stranger in a lift. He was brought up as a church-goer and thought he was a Christian until he got in that elevator.
“He says, ‘I can tell you how to be great.’ I say, ‘Tell me.’ He says, ‘You have to know Jesus.’ I’m like, ‘Man, I grew up Christian.’ I had that kind of cliché Christianity of go to church from time to time or when times get tough. It wasn’t something real or tangible.
“From that moment on, my life got flipped completely upside down. I really got a sense of God intervening in my life and leading my footsteps and ordering things in order to get my attention.
“I finally said, ‘Wow, God, you love me for me. I don’t have to work for it. I don’t have to be perfect.’”
