“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28).”
God despises racism. Any type of prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed to a certain racial or ethnic group should never be tolerated. It’s clear from Scripture the Lord does not show partiality, favoritism (Rom. 2:11), or is a respecter of certain persons (Acts 10:34).
He is Lord and God over all of humanity. He desires for every race, tribe, and nation to be reconciled (Rev. 7:9). He died for the sins of the whole world (Jn. 3:16).
Moreover, God created humanity in His image and likeness (Gen. 1:27). This means we are all created equally. Humans have the same blood and come from one race. For Scripture teaches that all people originated from Adam (Rom. 5:12).
Since all people are from the same family, there should never be discord or division between us. We are all brothers and sisters—and must treat each other with dignity, love, and respect.
Jesus treated all people the same. He did not show favoritism. For instance, a Samaritan woman was shocked that Jesus talked with her in John 4. She told him that Jews do not associate with her kind of people. However, Jesus not only spoke with her in public, but also offered her a drink of living water—referring to the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus made it clear that day that all people are valued and loved by God.
Approximately 2,000 years later, this same type of gender inequality was still prevalent in society. For instance, it wasn’t until August 18th, 1920, that the 19th amendment of the United States granted women the right to vote. I can’t believe this basic right for women to vote for their elected officials took so long.
Even more bewildering, it took another 40 years for the United States to pass an amendment prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, a Baptist minister and leader of the Civil Rights Movement from 1955 to 1968, made this profound statement concerning racial equality.
“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
There is still a long way to go. As Christians, it’s our responsibility to imitate our Lord Jesus who expressed dignity, love, and respect to all people.
When Jesus told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person, He meant to do so without partiality. Whether the person is male or female, rich or poor, or of a different ethnic background—we are all one in Christ Jesus.
Finally, systemic racism is real. It needs to be combated with the gospel of racial reconciliation—the spiritual practice of seeking loving, liberating, and life-giving relationship with God and one another, and yearning to heal and change injustice and brokenness in ourselves, our communities, institutions, and society.
Let’s show the world that the gospel of Jesus is the only hope we have for bringing peace and harmony for all people. Let’s pray.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for all people. Give us the courage, wisdom, and strength to speak the truth in love. Help us to fight against systemic racism and offer the solution: the gospel of racial reconciliation. May you also give us the humility to look into our own hearts to get rid of any sinful biases we might have. Forgive us of these biases and help us to bring peace and harmony into our world—for every tribe, tongue, and nation. In Jesus name. Amen.
Article written by Chad A. Damitz
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