God calls us to live free. He is the One who compels us towards forgiveness, love, and unity, which can only truly happen through His power living in us.
The evils of racism have been woven into our world throughout history, and tragically, still affect many lives today. It’s real. Divisive. Oppressive. Hate-filled. And it grieves the heart of God who made us and loves us all. To stand strong against racism and to pray for unity and love among us is not only a physical and emotional battle, but a deep spiritual battle too. The enemy wants nothing more than to continually stir up hatred and vicious attacks. He thrives when we live in worry, defeat, and hide in our fears. He loves it when we doubt even the existence of racism and prejudice today.
The sin of racism is rooted in pride and division and sets itself against the very thing Christ came to do—to draw us together, to reconcile us in Him and with one another—every tribe, every nation, every people group, every language. Sadly, many see racism and prejudice as social problems in our nation, and are silent on the issue, not wanting to enter that battle. But it’s more than a social injustice. It’s a spiritual and moral issue that every one of us needs to face—no matter what race, culture, or background we have. If we have set up distinctions within our hearts and minds about one another, even without intending to, but yet it’s there, God calls us to make it right, with Him. There is no place for racism and prejudice in our lives or in the church. As believers in Christ, we are the ones called to set an example of love for a world that needs hope.
Design Credit: © SWN/Bethany Pyle
God calls us to live free. He is the One who compels us towards forgiveness, love, and unity, which can only truly happen through His power living in us. He is the One who can open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts to really understand the traps and battles before us. And He gives us all that we need to live strong. His truth alone will set us free.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
What the Bible says about Racism and Prejudice
Through Christ, we are all God’s children.
“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29)
God does not show favoritism. He accepts us all just the same, as we seek to follow Him.
“So Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'” (Acts 10:34-35)
There are no distinctions in God’s family, He is Lord of us all.
“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Romans 10:12-13)
He calls us to love one another and follow the example of Jesus.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)
We are one body, filled with His Spirit, because of Christ. Though we do not lose our individual identities and uniqueness, He unites us, differences and all.
“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)
People from every tribe and nation, all those who have chosen to follow Christ, will be in heaven together in the presence of the Lord.
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,” (Revelation 7:9)
God reminds us not to look at the outward appearance of others, but at the heart.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Related: Listen to Our Podcast Episode of Faith Over Fear: The Courage to Stand Against Racism:
There are no distinctions in Christ, He is our unifying factor.
“Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” (Colossians 3:11)
God’s word is clear on how we should treat others who may be different from us, with love, as one of our own.
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)
People will know that we are followers of Christ by our love and actions towards others.
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
Only Christ can break down the walls of division and hate. He alone is our peace.
“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,” (Ephesians 2:14-15)
Design Credit: © SWN/Bethany Pyle
A Prayer against Racism:
Dear God,
We thank you that you alone have called us to live free. We thank you for the love and acceptance into your family as followers of Christ. We pray for your spirit of unity and peace among believers in our nation. We ask that you would demolish the strongholds of racism and pride that have held your people back. Release the grip of the enemy over those who have been blinded, over those who have been deceived, and give them the power to walk free.
We confess the sin we have held in our own hearts and ask for your forgiveness and grace over our lives. We know how much we need you to help us truly follow the example of Christ and love one another as you’ve called us to. We ask for your courage to be a voice, for your strength to be a godly example, for your power to carry us onward. Lord change our hearts and attitudes. Replace indifference with compassion. Replace fear with faith. Replace pride with a deep humility willing to be set free by your mercy.
We love you Lord and call upon your help this day, and every day. Protect and strengthen your people for the glory of your great Name.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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