With racial tension so high in America Christians should ask themselves how we should respond to such problems. What does God’s word demand of a Christian when it comes to this subject?
First, it is important to understand that to mistreating someone because of the color of their skin is wrong. Racism is a sin. God commands Christians not to be divided over race or gender (Gal. 3:28). We are to be people who seek to serve (Mt. 20:28) and put others needs above our own (Phil. 2:1-4). As Hershael York said, “The Scriptures do not call us only to treating others as our equals, but our betters.”
Second, we must understand that every single person, no matter the race or gender of the person, is made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). This means you will never meet a person who does not bear the image of God. We treat each other with love and respect no matter their social standing, race, age, gender, power, etc. (Job. 31:13-15; Prov. 22:2). People are worth so much to God that He sent His son Jesus to die for all the world (Jn. 3:16; 12:32-33; Rev. 5:9-10)!
Third, God views any type of oppression with great disdain (Ex. 22:21-27; 23:9; Dt. 1:16; 10:19; 27:19; Prov. 25:11-12). Israel was told not to mistreat the widow, orphan, or foreigner, but they were even called to make sure they cared for them (Lev. 19:33-34). God demands justice of his people (Ex. 23:6-8; Dt. 16:19; Prov. 17:23; Mic. 6:6-8) and promises to right all the injustices of the world at the end of time.
Fourth, Jesus was willing to engage in teaching a Samaritan woman. This shocked the woman because Jews and Samaritans did not get along (Jn. 4:9). Jesus not only gave her the water of life but spent time in the village teaching them about salvation. Jesus did not share the racist views of his day and went to great links to unify people divided over race.
Lastly, it seems disunity, bitterness and division have been the norm as of late with COVID-19 and racial tension. That is unacceptable for Christians. We should be leading the fight against racism and we should be working out our differences in a way that glorifies God.
As Christians we must learn to live in unity on earth because people from every race and background will be in heaven. Revelation 7:9: “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands…”
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