Racism: A Church Thing?

Despite all the good that you have done, lives you have saved, people that you cared for, you are considered to be the scum of the earth. What if the reason that someone would think of you in this way, was due to something you never even done? Even worse, that there was no way to correct it, or ask forgiveness for it, cause it's what you are in there eyes. Fear, anger, hatred, even murder is the reward for you being born the way you look. It has nothing to do with who you are, but everything to do with what you are. This is Racism. This is NOT the work of God, but the works of man. And this deception has entered into the Church.

Racism as defined by Webster's Dictionary is: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits, and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. Examples of this belief in the Church can be found all throughout history. Jew, Gentile, Protestant, Catholic, Christian, and Islam have all had their hands stained with the blood of their brothers, and sisters, for looking or being different. The popularity of this belief can be traced to the rise of Darwinism. In Charles Darwin's book, The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life, he concluded that all “primitive races” are not to be considered human, and one day will be exterminated so that the “civilized races” may remain. 'At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races throughout the world. At the same time, the anthropomorphous apes. . . will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilized state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the Negro or Australian and the gorilla.' pp. 241-242. Native Americans, Aborigines, Pygmies, African Americans, and Jews all have died due to the spread of this false doctrine. Some have even carried this belief into the Church, twisting scripture to preserve a falsehood of dominion over the brethren. But what does God say about this?

The word race appears 4 times in the bible. The reference of the word is only used as a type of foot race, never a people. The current term for Race as defined as a people did not matter then, and it should not matter now. But this is too vague, let's get into exacts. How about when God chooses someone. What is the criteria of being God’s chosen? Is it a skin color, ethnic class, financially secure civilized male? If you answered none of the above... Your RIGHT! In 1st Samuel 16: 6-7 Samuel was sent to find , and anoint a KING chosen by God.

1Sa 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.

1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

God never said anything about Eliab's skin color, ethnic class, or how civil Eliab was. God looked at his heart. As should we. Now let us look at the testimony of Jesus when He speaks about appearances.

Matthew 23:27 says: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Jesus saw through all of their fake righteousness, false smiles, and puffed up garments, and looked directly into there hearts. As should we. Remember this!

Acts 17:26 states that, And He has made all nations of men of one blood to dwell on all the face of the earth, ordaining fore-appointed seasons and boundaries of their dwelling. We all are descendants of Noah. Brought out by God's hand into the land that was created for all of us. Given the promise of salvation through the fulfillment of Jesus Christ. And yet, out of all that love shown while we were yet enemies of God, some of us still believe that salvation is given to the chosen race.

But the good news is that Salvation is not exclusive. The love of Jesus is not only for a particular race, But for all mankind. His sacrifice was to reconcile ALL men back to the Father. (Eph 2: 16-18) There is no love in racism. The fruit of racism is hatred, bondage, injustice, and ignorance. This has no place in the Body of Christ, or in a Christian. We are ALL made in God's image and likeness (Gen 1:27) And we are identified as his disciples by the love we freely give. (John 13:35) How can anyone say they love the Father, and yet not love their brothers and sisters in Christ because of a skin color, social class, or ethnic group?(1John 4:20) Would Jesus have agreed with this? NO. He paid the price for ALL our sins. And those that believe on Him shall not perish but receive everlasting life .(John 3:16) To limit the salvation of Jesus Christ to a skin color is to limit God. And if you are one of these people who believes that salvation was meant for only a select few, or have gone so far as to tell someone that their skin color will prevent their salvation, REPENT NOW, or find a millstone and a rope. (Matthew 18:6) Renew you mind to look for the fruits of the spirit in a person, rather than the color of a person. Rebuke the hateful practices of man and devote yourselves to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn to forgive, and love in righteousness for the sake of the Body of Christ. And if you need a reason to do all this, look to the bible for your reason. (1^st Thesalonians 3:12)

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: May the Lord bless you, and keep you.

1Thessalonians 2:- 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.