Yesterday we looked at three convictions we need to have about race. They are starting points to begin to love our neighbors as ourselves when they are of different races. We need to grasp at a deep level that (1) we are made in the image of the same God; (2) we are plagued by the same problem: sin; and (3) we are saved by the same Savior. If we miss these three then it won't really be possible to move forward in true racial unity. We will never be able to get past our own racial pride.
This post looks at three more convictions to have. Our list could obviously be much longer, but these are a reasonable starting point for us.
We're all obligated by the same love.
The fourth conviction we should have is that we are called to express the same love. When God says to "love our neighbor as ourselves," he means regardless of race. James 2 captures this idea well:
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. (James 2:8-9)
The issue in James' day was rich and poor. The temptation was—just like it is now—to favor the rich and marginalize the poor. James says Christian love must reject such biases. You can't give the rich the front-row, cushioned seats just because they have more money. That's simply wrong.
Well, wealth is one way we can be partial, race is another. Partiality on the basis of race is something that affects even when we really hate to acknowledge it. There are ways that we can assume in the workplace that the white man is in charge and the black woman is his assistant, even when it's exactly the opposite. Sometimes our bias goes beyond this and we express to someone that his race is the reason for his advancement. Yet, this is simply to show partiality on the basis of race and to fail to show true Christian love.
People are different, no doubt. Our diversity is real. And yet, we cannot show a sinful partiality because of that.
As individuals and as a church God is calling us to be bridge-builders, to be those who can reach out in meaningful relationship to those with different backgrounds, different educations, different life situations from ourselves. This takes intentionality and work. We might be terrible at it and say awkward things at times. But if we stick with it, God will give grace to build true friendships with people very different from ourselves.
We're All Members of the Same Body
A fifth conviction is grasp that we are members of the same body, at least as Christians this is true:
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Rom. 12:4-5)
Being a Christian means that we are brought into the "body of Christ." And it is one body, not many. Sometimes we refer to a church as "a body," but technically the body of Christ means all Christians everywhere and throughtout all time. He is the head of this vast body, and we are all members of it.
That means several things. It means we are truly connected, intertwined in a single, organic entity. It means that we are not complete without other believers—believers from ALL races. We need each other to be a complete body of Christ. My church in Apex, NC, needs the churches in Kenya and Bolivia for us all to be complete.
Knowing that we are members of the same body helps me appreciate those from different races. I know they are a member of the body of Christ with a specific function and role. We bring different things to the table. Neither one of us is omni-competent. This helps me appreciate others with different gifts.
This also inspires a true concern for those from different races. How could I not be concerned about my Christian brothers and sisters from different nations and with different backgrounds? It's like not caring about the parts of my body—and I can tell you I care a lot about all the parts of my body!
The goal here is not being color-blind or culture-blind. Far from it! We want to be those with a deep appreciation and understanding of a person's race and culture and background. These are deep part of who we are as people. Not the deepest part, which is my identity as a child of God. But these are deeply personal and of great value to me. The goal here is simply not to be sinfully partial toward those from other races.
We're all going to be singing the same song.
These five convictions help us, they ground us. But if we're honest, we recognize that we have a ways to go in our thinking and actions. That's why the sixth conviction encourages us. It is captured vividly by a scene from John's Revelation:
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, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Rev. 7:9-10)
It's obvious here that heaven isn't color-blind. The glory of heaven is not that race and color finally disappear. Far from it! The glory of heaven is in the way all our nations and tribes and peoples and languages unite in a perfect picture of unity and harmony and multi-colored wonder. Notice John doesn't say we unite with "loud voices," but it's "a loud voice"—a single voice! And we aren't singing a cacophany of songs that sound beautiful when mixed together. We're singing one song, the song of salvation: "Salvation belongs to our God...and to the Lamb!"
What we're working for, God will finish. What we desire, God will complete. What we want to see happen, God will do so that he receives ALL the glory. Praise God!
Where do I start?
We all have room to grow in the area of relating to those from different races. A good place to start is with our own hearts. How are we doing loving well those from different races? With treating people without sinful partiality?
Another step to consider is getting to know people from different walks of life. Maybe those from different races. Or different marital statuses. Or family size. Or schooling preferences. There are a lot of ways we separate in the body of Christ. Work against that.
And finally, if you are white then learn something about the history of blacks in America. Read a biography of Martin Luther King, Jr., or Eyes on the Prize by Juan Williams. There are more serious theological treatments like Daniel Hays' From Every People and Nation. The Gospel Coalition has a number of resources of different kinds on this issue.
As we said, this is only a down-payment on a larger conversation. God help us to grow as a congregation and see our church become more diverse and God more glorified!
Daniel