Let me say, first of all, I am proud to live in a country which has come so far in such a short time, as it pertains to racism. However, racism still rears its ugly head all too often. Unfortunately, even among Christians, racism can be an issue.
Racism usually refers to the idea that people of one “race” are superior, in some way, to people of another “race.” Please excuse my bluntness but, this way of thinking is not only ignorant, it is ungodly.
1. All people have the same ancestors. We are all related. As Paul said, “He made from one man every nation of mankind” (Acts 17:26a). It may be impossible to tell exactly what skin color Adam and Eve had, but one thing we can know for sure, they carried the genetic code for all mankind! Every man, woman, and child on this planet is your blood relative.
2. All people were created in the image of God. When Scripture speaks of God creating man “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27), it isn’t talking about physical appearance. If it were, we would all look the same. But, whatever it means to be made in the image of God, we all share that commonality. Meaning, all people, regardless of skin color or nationality, are created equal.
James rebuked those of his day saying, “With [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:9-10).
3. All people are your neighbor. We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. In fact, Jesus said this was the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39). In order to illustrate the identity of our neighbor, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). This parable helps us to understand that our neighbor, the one we must love as ourselves, is not just the person with whom we share a common heritage, but everyone with whom we come into contact.
Racism is ignorant. But, its worse than just ignorance, because it is also sinfully arrogant. As Paul wrote, “In humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). You cannot be humble and racist at the same time. Therefore, you cannot be pleasing to God while harboring racism in your heart. If this applies to you, I would admonish you to repent.
Let me leave you with these two wonderful thoughts from God’s word:
“For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:27-29).
I love you and God loves you,
