One of the greatest challenges plaguing the world today is the problem of systematic racism between blacks and whites.
Unfortunately, this evil trend has succeeded in creeping even into the Church as pastors and congregations are now classified based on their color.
The recent systematic racial abuse against black players in England simply reveals how this problem of racism has eaten deep into the society.
However, as the body of Christ, we must do all we can to speak against it and discourage ourselves from participating in racial abuse.
Why?
Because the Bible condemns racism!
Romans 10:12
“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.”
When God wants to work with a man, the least thing He considers is the color of that man’s skin. He said to Samuel that He doesn’t look at man’s appearance but the content of the heart.
God does not select who to bless between black and white. James tells us that He practices no favoritism, blesses everyone equally and gives everyone equal opportunities to excel irrespective of their descent.
If God loves everyone, then our attitude to the different races should also be one of love and not of hate or discrimination.
GOD SAVED A CANAANITE {JOSHUA 6}
Rahab was never an Israelite. Yet, because of how she supported God’s people, God saved her and her family and made her a part of the Israelites.
However, God didn’t stop there. Rahab went on to marry an Israeli Prince and become one of the mothers through which Jesus was brought into this world.
God also demonstrated his love for all races in the New Testament by pouring His Spirit upon both Gentiles and Jews.
Therefore, it is our obligations as believers to do the same. We are to show love to people of all social class and racial background. Whether they are black or white, rich or poor, we must love them with all our hearts.
Also, it is very wrong for one to attribute a certain negative behavioral pattern to a race alone.
I’ve heard people who say Africans are terrible thinkers who are plagued with poverty. This really amazes me because the person writing this article is not an African and he isn’t an average thinker.
Oprahz Winfrey is a black lady. Steve Masiyiwa is a black man. There are several black folks holding top positions in Microsoft and Google. A black folk recently graduated with a CGPA of 5.0 in a Russian University.
The fact that there are certain black folks with wrong lifestyles doesn’t mean it should be generalised. There are also white folks who are plagued with poverty. They exist everywhere. Instead of debasing and ridiculing one another, let’s endeavor to help and uplift one another.
This is sole responsibility of believers. It is our job to show the world what true, unconditional love entails. We are to teach the world to love each other.
We are to heal the deep wounds and bridge the divide that has been caused by racial and ethnic discrimination.
Let the Church awake from its slumber and put away the cliffs of racism from her eyes. Let’s advocate and provide for equal treatment of all races. Let’s pray for them both and favor them all.
Leviticus 19:34: “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.”
KOINONIA ART 