Addressing Racism from God’s Perspective
What is Racism?
The dictionary defines racism as a noun.
“a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others.“
“Also called in·sti·tu·tion·al rac·ism [in-sti-too-shuh-nl, -tyoo-], struc·tur·al rac·ism [struhk-cher-uhl] . a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine, as promoted by the dominant group in a society to preserve the continued dominance of that group; racial discrimination.”
Racism is often a factor in times of civil unrest. It may be real, perceived, or contrived, but it is still a factor. We need to remember that all have been made “in the image and likeness of God” (Genesis 1:26-28). The “image” refers to the ability to reason, and “likeness” is the spiritual dimension. In teaching, Paul said, “And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26). All men, regardless of race, have a common Maker and common ancestry.
Furthermore, there is no discussion of sociology without theology from a Christian point of view and that is God’s view about the matter. We must address these issues of community and world from God’s perspective, which is always from a biblical standpoint of righteousness and holiness.
Biblically, humanity is not divided into “races” of men defined by physical characteristics. In fact, in the grand scheme of things, there are only two categories that matter: the old man and the new man; those who are in Adam in his fallen sinful nature, and those who are in Christ who are born again and transformed; the nations and peoples of this world are called by grace to repentance and the holy nation that is the people of God made up of all who have repented and believe on Jesus Christ.
The Bible teaches that there is one human family, equally fallen in sin and equally in need of the same redemption in Jesus Christ. The gospel of Jesus Christ is equally for every nation, tribe, and tongue. Regardless of ethnic background or physical features, those who are in Christ are one family, one people, and indeed members of the same body. Likewise, those who are not in Christ are equally condemned regardless of bloodline or appearance. The Bible, therefore, leaves no place for racism whatsoever in the people of God.
When God makes His covenant with Abraham, He says to him:
“In you all the families of the earth will be blessed,” (Genesis 12:3).
“In you and in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed,” (Genesis 28:14).
The Apostle Peter (Acts 3:25-26) and the Apostle Paul (Galatians 3:16) demonstrated that the promised seed is Christ and that it is through Him that all the families of the world are blessed – all of them. The gospel is for every people, and that was God’s professed plan from the beginning! Paul also preaches:
“He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us,” (Acts 17:26-27).
Therefore, because of these things that we have in common, we must also understand that all men are inherently equal. Peter (a Jew), in speaking to the household of Cornelius (a Gentile), said, “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him” (Acts 10:34-35). We must have the same attitude of God – willing to treat all people without partiality. Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). In the eyes of God, there is “no distinction between Greek and Jew” or any other race (Colossians 3:10-11). Jesus commissioned His apostles, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19).
Concerning racism, we can all agree that no one should be judged by the color of his or her skin. We should fight against all true forms of racism and be compassionate to its victims. Through it all, we should point people to Christ as the only answer to racism. Protests, policies, awareness, changes to the legal system, etc., will never solve the problem. Racism is the result of sin. It’s a sickness, a disease, a parasite that eats at the fabric of humanity. Until the sin problem is dealt with—until people become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)—the problem of racism will never be eradicated. Our world and our nation needs to be born again, transformed and reconciled to God. Only in Christ can racial reconciliation be found: “For He is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14).
In closing, racism and bigotry are sicknesses, issues of the heart that need to be dealt with. Not with laws, politicians, and elected officials or protest marches on Washington and other cities, but the blood of Christ needs to be poured out. That is the only thing that will heal this nation and our world. The Kingdom of God needs to be loosed on earth as it is in heaven, but it’s His saints who are the ones that need to loose it on the earth and bind the spirit of racism.