There’s too much division in the world today. Too much focus is placed on our differences. When, in reality, we are all part of the same race — the human race. More than that, we’re created in His image and loved unconditionally just as we are.
Scripture clarifies there is one human race.
God created man in His image, however, The Bible makes it clear that there are many different nations and ethnicities, “From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands,” Acts: 17:26.
What the Bible also makes clear is that there is no hierarchy of human beings. When God sent His Son, it was to save ALL mankind, “For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.” Ephesians 2:14.
Racism exists contradictory to God’s will and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Racism, colorism, and xenophobia are misguided ideas that support the superiority of one race, color, or country of origin over another. The ramifications of buying into these ideas are hatred, fear, and inhumane treatment of others based solely on where they’re from or the color of their skin.
Racism in all forms goes against clear biblical principles of love, compassion, and servanthood. Through Christ, we all have the same spiritual standing. Regardless of our race, gender, or nationality, we are all saved the same way. More than that, we are challenged to live and love the way Jesus taught us.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens
Ephesians 2:19
with the saints and members of the household of God.
The teachings of Christ point us in the direction of unity and peace.
In Jesus’ day, racism existed too. Up until Jesus’ birth, Jews considered themselves the chosen people of God and as such considered Samaritans second-class citizens and treated them as such. It was highly uncommon to see Jews and Samaritans interacting at all. Jesus would have grown up witnessing the hatred and division between these two groups.
Yet, in at least two clear instances, John 4: 1-42 and Luke 10: 1-24, Jesus goes out of His way to place himself in the path of the Samaritans. Not only that, He treats them with honesty and mercy, offering them redemption and salvation. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus spoke to, interacted with, broke bread with, and offered comfort and healing to everyone because He loved them all the same regardless of what they looked like or where they were from.
Jesus made it clear from the beginning that God sent Him to save the whole world. His teachings confronted racism and all its pitfalls. He commanded us to love one another and to treat others as we want to be treated. His message was one of acceptance and peace. More than that, He commanded his disciples to preach to every nation, not just a chosen few.
All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28: 18-20
Racism is not compatible with Christianity.
Scripture shows us again and again how powerful God’s love for us is. It also guides us in the direction He wants us to go by teaching us about the things He doesn’t like. “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community,” Proverbs 6: 16-17.
The consequences of racism are found in all of those things. History is replete with examples of the suffering man inflicts upon man in the name of superiority and power. Pride, violence, bloodshed, lies, deceit, and conflict, are found at the root of racism and God abhors them all.
It’s our actions that will determine how we’ll spend eternity.
God loves every nation and every person. As such, we will not be judged on the basis of our skin color, nationality, gender, or any other physical characteristic, rather, we will be judged on our actions. Regardless of our differences, it will be our actions that determine our place in eternity.
Revelation 7:9 describes what that day of reckoning will look like, ” After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.”
More than anything, this verse is a powerful reminder that we are indeed created in His image and that no race, ethnicity, or background is exempt from God’s love or from the salvation bought and paid for through the blood of Christ.
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and
Acts 10: 34-35
does what is right.
He sees into the heart of us,
not the color of our skin.
One people called to live in faith,
to place our trust in Him.
Created in His image,
shaped by His loving hands,
He breathed His breath into our lungs,
every soul part of His plan.
He calls us all His children,
knows us all by name,
loves us unconditionally,
in His eyes, we are the same.
He sent His Son to save us,
to bring peace to every heart,
to unite us as one people,
through His death upon the cross.
No longer separated,
Christ tore down every wall.
He walked among the sinners,
because He came to save us all.
JN Fenwick (© 2021-2023) | mothjournal14