QUESTION: “What attitude should the Christian have toward racism?”
ANSWER: Christianity was born into a world filled with racial prejudice. It occurred many times, but the most obvious was the attitude of the Jews toward the Gentiles. Godliness abhors any assumed racial superiority! The Bible provides us with an “equalization factor” found in Romans 3:9-12, 23, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” This biblical principle is true regardless of race. The element of sin in our lives cuts across economic, racial and intellectual boundaries.
Christ brought equality, the basis of which is obedience, not skin coloration! Christ has broken down the wall between us (Ephesians 2:14-16), drawing mankind into one body by His death on the cross (Acts 17:26). God is no “respecter of persons,” but He examines man on the basis of his righteousness (Acts 10:34-35). God makes no distinction on the basis of race and forbids the same in us. In fact, He made a connection between every human being at creation, as proclaimed in Acts 17:26, “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.” James taught, “Hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons” (2:1). In v. 9, he labeled discrimination as sin!
The blood of Christ is contacted in baptism, wherein all barriers are destroyed, being made one in Christ (Galatians 3:26-28). Peter violated this principle and was reprimanded by Paul (Galatians 2:11). Observe how Jesus responded to all people (Luke 10:30) and be motivated to activate the “Golden Rule” by treating others as we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12). Humility will not allow us to treat any human being as inferior (Philippians 2:3). We must assume the disposition of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-25). The matter could cost us our eternal salvation!
