Welcome back!
We are continuing my observation from last Monday, asking if our God were racist? If you didn’t get a chance to read it, click here. I spoke briefly about racists starting from the beginning in the bible. Blatant racism existed as it does today. Jews didn’t affiliate with the gentiles. Jewish people were slaves to the Egyptians. However, is God truly racist? Let’s explore the answer now…
Is God Racist?
Some people have interpreted that racism existed in the bible, therefore God is racist. They seem to believe that when God divided people up in the old testament, he wanted us to live this way today. Actually, God separated people who didn’t worship and believe in him, from the ones who did. He knew the non-believers would be negative influences to the believers. And didn’t want their actions to rub off on them. It was his way of protecting them from sin.
God couldn’t have been racist because God created us in His image. He created us in different races, colors and creeds. It was his choice, not ours.
God is the same then and now
So, what about slavery? In short, slavery existed because of the sins of the world. Race differences were misinterpreted in the bible to unjustly enslave people. Jeremiah 13:23 says, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spot? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.” It’s evident that Satan used and continues to use race to divide, rather than come together.
In the Book of Matthew 15:21-28, a Canaanite woman cried to Jesus and asked him to cast out a demon in her daughter. His disciples didn’t want Jesus to heal her, because of her race and beliefs. Jesus overlooked that racist tradition and her daughter was healed from that very hour. It all happened because of her faith.
In the Book of John 7:41-52, Jesus was even discriminated against, because he was a prophet from Galilee. The people believed that the Christ would come from David’s family and in Bethlehem. They didn’t believe that a prophet could come from Galilee. So, how could our Savior be racist? I believe he allowed this to happen, to relate to those discriminated against. God didn’t change, however we did!
Delivered From Racism
After Christ died for our sins, we were delivered from racism in this world. The Apostle Paul said to a large gathering of people, “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean… I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:28, 34-35)
As disciples of Christ, we have to avoid preferences and prejudices. We can not treat one person better than another. And we shouldn’t think or feel that we are better than one another. We all are rich in God’s eyes, because he died on the cross for everyone’s sins, not just a certain race of people.
James 2:8-12 and Galatians 3:28 says, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery, also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a law-breaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” (James 2:8-12) “There is neither Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
We have come a long way, but we still have ways to go! Let’s continue working together to stamp out racism across this world. We should work on celebrating our differences, not condemning them. Christian believers of ALL races, will worship together in Heaven one day! Praise God that I will be in that number… Amen
