An Ancient Method to Restore Modern Day Race Relations

Last updated on: November 4, 2015 at 8:55 am by Josh Daffern

An Ancient Method to Restore Modern Day Race Relations 2015-11-04T08:55:07-06:00 Josh Daffern

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Race relations in my city are at a low ebb. Two weeks ago a black man was shot and killed by a white police officer. Investigations are pending. Resignations and firings have happened. Protests and marches have taken place. More than just the tragedy of the shooting itself, this has drudged up old fault lines that reveal just how far we have to go on race relations, even in the “Christian” South.

I believe the answer to this centuries old issue is to go back even further still to the early church in the 1st century. Racial fault lines were open chasms in the Roman Empire. Racism was enshrined by law, women were regarded as little more than property, equality was a wisp of a dream. Into this socially and racially divided society, the gospel of Jesus broke forth like a lightning bolt and changed everything.

Here’s the pronouncement made by Paul to the early church:

11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:11

After the pronouncement, Paul continues. Once the ideal had been set, Paul gives the church the blueprint to fight for that ideal. It’s the same blueprint we can and should use today to restore race relations.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

Clothe yourself with compassion and kindness Look at racial issues not just from your view, but from the other side as well. If you’re white, try and put yourself in the shoes of a person who feels that they’re harassed by the authorities based on the color of their skin and nothing more.
Embrace humility and gentleness. Recognize and realize that you don’t know it all. There have been hurts given and received by both sides. Both sides can claim the victim, and both sides have been the aggressors. Rather than point out the other side’s faults, embrace your own.
Practice patience. Something torn apart for centuries cannot be repaired in a day. Race relations are repaired one relationship at a time, one generation at a time. Patience includes bearing with each other even when our differences divide us.
Forgive, forgive, forgive. Forgiveness releases the toxins of bitterness, allowing old wounds to heal and creating a safe place for new bonds to begin. Restoration cannot happen without the level of forgiveness that can only come through God.
Love loud. Love covers over a multitude of wrongs. Love to the level that Jesus loved you. Show love, preach love, share love, live love. Love loud and let love win the day.

QUESTIONS: What else can Christians do to repair modern race relations?

Previous Post

November 4, 2015

Morning Brew: Wednesday, Nov 4

Next Post

November 5, 2015 Morning Brew: Thursday, Nov 5

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Family Matters Ministry in the Trenches Morning Brew MTVpastor New Wineskins Top Menu Truth from Life Uncategorized Watch Sermons

Select a Month June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Moses Aaron God Jacob