“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” – Colossians 3:12-15
Seeking Good Counsel
- We wanted to listen to those who are educated and informed on racial inequality and injustice.
- We needed to listen to the full story before making a statement.
- We wanted to listen to friends who have different experiences and backgrounds with this issue.
- We wanted to pray about this issue and to seek wisdom and discernment on this critical topic.
- Most importantly, we wanted to listen to the voice of God, convicting, and guiding us in the way to personally change and help others.
- After all of that, it reconfirmed what we knew to be true: racism is wrong!
Truth and Grace
We have to stop being silent on institutional racism and cultural hatred toward others. We must be willing to listen so that we can grow in our understanding. Our willingness to listen will then lead to more effective communication and action. Think of the progress we could make if we spoke WITH each other and not AT each other.
Change comes slowly. Change may not be welcomed, but change needs to come none the less.
We pray that we learn from these current events and Glorify God with a change of heart. As we read God’s word, we see the supreme love He has for all of His children even to the point of death (John 3:16).
Commanded to Love Others
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 13:35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Matthew 22:36-39 – “‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
1 John 4: 20-21 – “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
We pray that change starts with us, and we listen and love others as God loves us.
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Stay Uncommen!
The poor (& everyone else) are only blessed when they behave. Good behavior is predicated by GOD’s law, not man’s law. Good behavior begins by “mainly” fathers (& mothers) being responsible for training their children. “Doing the right thing” concerning family training includes acceptance of the social status you were born into. The “condition” that humans are born into is from GOD. GOD expects good behavior on all social levels. GOD is not a equal opportunity CREATOR, nor does HE promise equal outcome even in the KINGDOM to come (Matt 5:19). We serve a Just & Righteous GOD whose promises and blessings are based on the individual persons’ behavior, not the racial or financial groupings of society. Although the statistics in your video “Race in America” are unfortunate, the condition exists by irresponsible fathering & husbanding of the individual man regardless of race or earthly possessions. The only equal opportunity in this world is the opportunity to act right according to GOD’s standard.
It saddens me to see the reply from Miles above. It seems to dance around the commandment to love our neighbors. We are called to love. We are called to invite The Holy Spirit into our lives and pour our God’s Grace into this world. We are called to become disciples. In that calling we will be challenged as God asks us to partner with divine wisdom. I pray that The Holy Spirit breaks through the hearts and minds of the readers here, so that our hearts will cry out for what breaks in the heart of Jesus.