Addressing racial injustices, I see two major steps.
Racial profiling has to STOP. Pre-judging a person based on the color of their skin has to STOP. I hope to God I’m not addressing Christians here, but sadly these issues were seeded in our country and homes a long time ago and therefore some were raised with prejudices that have never been pointed out. So what does the Word of God say? God’s Word should always be our reference of instruction.
2 Corinthians 5 has always been my favorite portion of scripture because of the last verse: “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (vs. 21). This beautiful, healing promise was made to all people — not a few. But earlier, in the same context, the Bible says, “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer” (2 Corinthians 5:14-16, my emphasis).
It should be obvious, but let me ask to clear any confusion… what do you think God is going to hold us accountable to when standing before Him at the end of our life? HIS WORD. So when His living Word tells us to quit judging people by the flesh, you can count on God holding you responsible for your judgments and profiling according to a person’s skin or ethnic differences.
So STOP it, if that’s you.
And that brings me to the next instruction: START… I’ll address the first group: START taking God’s Word seriously. START walking in the fear of God and repent (which means to change one’s mind, turn and go another direction).
But I also want to speak lovingly to those who have been all their life profiled, judged, rejected, and so forth: START walking in the full knowledge of who you’ve been made in Christ. Remember, He died and exchanged places with you to give you His righteousness. I know the pain of rejection is real and can produce insecurities, resentment, and anger — but I encourage you to rise above those very real feelings and START living in the fullness of God’s love for you.
If we’re not careful, we will become what we despise.
You may be rightfully angry at so-called friends who have not given voice to the injustices that are being highlighted right now, but a word of caution: STOP before you START becoming the very thing you hate.
What do I mean? There’s a fine line between correctly judging a wrong and then using that judgment to belittle, condemn, and dare I say it, profile another human. What is our instruction? “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).
Love looks like forgiveness. Love looks like compassion. Love can look on the sin of another and feel sorry for them (in other words, recognizing it’s an awful shame that people run around with such ignorance).
As I prayed, I heard those two words: STOP and START.
If you’re in a place of authority and you’re abusing it, STOP IT.
If you’re a parent, and you haven’t spoken to your children about these issues, START NOW.
If you’re a parent that was raised with prejudices and you haven’t corrected that in your home yet, STOP now and START every day looking for areas to address and teach Truth (God’s Truth) to the next generation.
If you’re a victim, I’m so sorry. But don’t stay a victim. START realizing condemnation is something man can’t put on you— only Satan. He is the author of destructive feelings. God is the author of peace, hope, love, strength, joy, and much more. A person may put you down, but when you know your worth to God, their lies and ignorant judgments don’t have to define you.
I pray all of us evaluate what we need to STOP doing and thinking that opposes the love of God and START living righteously before Him because the day will come when we will be unable to do either anymore — the day we STAND before our Holy Father and answer for the difference or indifference of our lives.
