Read Romans 12:9-11 Racism has been and continues to tear at the fabric of American society. Racism by definition is the belief that inherent differences between one race or races create a distinguishing factor of value that determines one more superior than another. This mindset leads to gross injustices against certain individuals and groups. Jesus was present at the original creation of all mankind. Jesus came and became like all humanity. Jesus died for everyone. We are all the same as it relates to our created value and God’s determined value on each of us.
Sin changed the way we saw things. Sinfulness creates this disparity. Nothing else. Sin leads to the mistreatment, abuse, and injustices that we see in our society.
The Apostle Paul makes a clarion call to the church in Romans 12. I am going to write it here because it is so relevant to the current crisis that our nation (and many other peoples face). Verses 9-11 states:
Let love be genuine.
Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Love one another with brotherly affection.
Outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not be slothful in zeal,be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Love, honor, zeal, kindness. These are the marks of true discipleship.
One of the statements that he uses is intriguing. “Outdo one another in showing honor.” What if the Church operated on this one principle alone. What if the Church became experts of love and honor? Instead, we often fight to be first. We strive to gain position. We compete with each other to get our way. What if we fought to be last? What if we worked as hard to promote others as we strive for promotion ourselves?
What if we really loved and lived like Jesus? When you win with honor, everybody wins.
