One Race Leaves No Room for Racism

By Edd Sterchi

    During  a  time  when  our  nation  should  be  coming  together  to  battle  a common enemy (cornavirus), it seems that we are more divided than ever(politically and socially).  Unfortunately a big part of this is racism.  This is not God’s plan for man.
    God designed humanity – all of humanity – to be made in His image (Gen. 1:26; Acts 17:28-29).  There should be no prejudice against any human, as they are a creation of and made in the likeness of God and all consist of one race – the human race.
    When Jesus designed the church, He made it a place that was to be without race, social status, or gender.  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there isneither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28).
    God’s plan for the church is that people from all backgrounds come together and are equal.  The saved in heaven (which were the church upon the earth)are described in Rev. 7:9 as coming “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.”  They were all equal in God’s eyes.
     Peter, through inspiration, referenced the church as “a chosen race” in 1Pet. 2:9.  This shows the church as perfectly unified with no “outsiders.” Think about it, God declares that in His church, there are not different ethnic groups, but they all consist of one ethnic group regardless of background,upbringing, or geographic origin.
    In essence, we could look at it this way: In the church, we are made to be one race – and within one race there can be no racism.
    Thus, in the church, we must condemn all forms of racism, bigotry,prejudice, and discrimination. We must call it for what it is: sin!  Racial injustice is incompatible with the message of the gospel in which Jesus came and died for all (Heb. 7:27; 1 John 2:2).
    It’s time to look beyond politics and prejudices and see people.  People that God created.  People that can be made one through the gospel.

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/