• Repenting of Racism

    By: Kristen L. McNulty

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

    This week there's been a lot of talk in the news about racism and the tendency some in the public eye have to value one race or people group over the other. It's an easy lie to buy into because having what we have and living where we live, we recognize we're blessed. But there is a huge difference between thanking God for our blessings and wearing our blessings as a badge of honor, boasting in our pride about just how great we think we are and acting superior to those who have less, thinking that some how makes them less than we are. In a nutshell, that's exactly what racism is: an attitude of superiority.

    The dictionary defines racism as: "prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior." Anytime we are guilty of holding ourselves up higher than others based on where they live, that's racism and that is something which has no place in our lives.

    On An Even Playing Field


    The truth is, this kind of pride and superiority can't be disguised for anything other than what it is: absolute sin. God's Word makes it abundantly clear that whether you're Canadian, Australian, African, British, Dutch, American or anything in between, we are all God's children on an even playing field. God's Word also tells us He doesn't value one culture or skin color over another. Let's listen to what to the Bible has to say:

    Acts 10:24-25: "Then Peter replied, 'I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.'"

    Deuteronomy 10:17-19: "For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt."

    Revelation 7:9-10: "After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, 'Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!'"

    Viewing Others As Our Equals


    In God's eyes we are all equal. In our eyes we don't always view people that way and if that's you, let this be your spiritual alarm clock going off to stop you in your tracks. Ask God to give you a new vision of the world around you, a vision that looks beyond geography or skin color or language or citizenship and sees others as the children God loves and He created, the same as you or I.

    And if you don't think you struggle with racism or discrimination or idolatry when it comes to your country, ask God to examine your heart anyway. Ask Him to point out thoughts or attitudes or behaviors that don't line up with Him. If you're like me, you might be surprised at what He uncovers.

    Uncovering & Repenting Of The Past


    In my own searching on this subject I shamefully discovered that one of my ancestors not only owned slaves, but once used a young boy of color as a footstool. It did, and still does, make me sick to my stomach. Prompting confession and repentance of not just my relatives actions, but of my own thoughts and prejudices I've carried with me too. And when He does bring those things to your mind, repent completely and instead of showing judgement to others, show nothing but love.

    Closing with Galatians 3:26-28:
    "For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus."


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