Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. – James 1:17
What Happened to Creation’s Good?
When God rested on the seventh day, creation was good. There was order, everything had its place, its purpose, and its marching orders – especially Man, the only creature crowned with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5).
Mankind was given the assignment to:
- Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth.
- Have dominion over the fish, birds, and every creature on earth.
- Dominate and terrorize other humans deemed inferior due to race or culture.
{Insert needle screeeech!}
Huh? That’s a NO for #3!
However, many treat their infection of racism as a divine calling from God – as if God chose them for some noble calling of superiority over others.
The father of lies, satan, has been around the block since creation, manipulating thoughts and ideas that are contrary to the nature and image of God.
Racism is no different.
What About Racism?
Racism – racial or cultural supremacy – deems itself superior to others with the intent to oppress, discriminate, or antagonize other races or cultures.
Where is racism?
Wherever you are. I just so happen to be in the United States of America. But, you can see the filthy fingerprints of racism and supremacy smudged across the world throughout history via ethnic cleansing, apartheid, imperialism, slavery, Jim Crow, and other global events.
God, we gotta talk.
Being mentally and emotionally frustrated with overt and covert racism in America, the resistance of many white Americans to acknowledge the persistence of systematic racism, the racism “get out of jail free card” passed out by those who claim to be Christian, and a 45th President skilled at stoking the racial flames that fire up his base, I sat down and had a talk with God.
“God, since you knew that racism and racial injustices would happen, why didn’t you simply make everybody the same?”
Same skin color, same culture – wouldn’t the world be a better place without all of this diversity and racial confusion? Folks thinking they’re better than others?
In God’s loving, fatherly way, He decided to show me why His way is best – better than He could tell me.
Diversity is God’s Nature
God is an over-the-top, Divine Creator. Think about it.
Did you know that there are approximately 6.5 million species of animals on land and 2.2 million species in the ocean? And, new species are being discovered today?
It kinda makes my suggestion to prevent racism silly, right?
“Hey God, why don’t you limit who You are and play small!”
Crazyness.
What kind of God would we serve if He only had one look for all of mankind? Why would God pour His creative authority into animals, insects, and microbes – and not do the same with Man? Does God ever do something the same, uniform way every time?
The very nature of God is one that enjoys creative abundance, even if purely for His glory and unseen by Man. We serve an exceeding, abundantly, above all we could ask or think God.
Do you think the blowfish tells the catfish that he’s superior because he can puff up? Does a Rottweiler look down on a Doberman?
If God created us and made provisions for mankind to be diverse – it’s a gift, a good gift!
But, as we see even with our earthly children at times – we don’t always respect the responsibilities and authority we’re given, nor do we always honor our gifts.
Racism is Perversion. Period.
The devil is a liar.
Racism is a tool of disruption in the earth by the enemy. It represents another attempt to pervert, manipulate, and wreak havoc in a creation that God called “good”. It is the clap back of a devil scorned, who will never have what humanity has – the gift of forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ. So yes, the ones with dominion have a target on their back.
Tricks of the Racism Trade
Fear, doubt, inferiority masked with superiority, pity, false comradery or connection…
In order to discern the tricks of the enemy, begin with Truth.
When we silence our voice, our opinion, and popular schools of thought, the Holy Spirit can speak louder than our biases, perceptions, and ill-formed beliefs.
Vet the teachings of family, elders, or mentors against the Word of God. What did God say about you and about your neighbor? You may have a racist heart and not know it because your thinking is so familiar and normalized in your circle of family and friends.
And, that’s the enemy’s tactic – to make wrong feel right, to make sin look innocent, to justify and rationalize the chaos.
God and Racism Will Never Mix
Why? Because LOVE and racism will never mix. God is Love!
So, put up your hymnals, hush those tongues, and fold your tear-filled handkerchiefs. Put away your checkbook and pen – save your money. And, consider retiring from your tedious “work of the Lord”. Because, if you don’t have love, you’re wasting your time, effort, and energy (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
If we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves, where is there room for superiority? If you love yourself on a 10, 100, 1,000 – the love for your neighbor will be right there on the same level. This love shows up in your actions, reactions, thoughts, and perspectives of others.
God Hates Racism
Did you know that you can find the 7 things that God hates in the spirit of racism (Proverbs 6:16-19)? Let’s examine.
- A proud (haughty, superior) look
- A lying tongue
- Hands that shed innocent blood
- A heart that creates wicked imaginations or plans
- Feet swift to run to mischief
- A false witness who speaks lies
- He who sows discord among brethren
It’s easy to find examples for each of these God-despised behaviors in racism.
So, Team Jesus in America – there’s only one Master, God.
Ask yourself:
- Has your love of country, the flag, the anthem overruled your loyalty to God?
- Can you think of an individual who exudes most of the behaviors on this list?
- Have you cheered for or agreed with individuals who exhibit these behaviors?
- Have you been silent or turned a blind eye when you see racism?
- Can you find any of these behaviors in your own life?
So, What’s the Play Call?
Honor who God is – God is Love, and God loves diversity.
Love what God loves. Accept no counterfeit or perversion to how we as mankind should interact with each other. Honor God’s order and what God creates.
Learn to esteem others above yourself (Philippians 2:3), and allow God to exalt you (1 Peter 5:6).
Be honest with any feelings of superiority you may have, and bring them to the feet of Jesus. It matters not how many feel the same way you do – there is no safety in numbers for sin. Repent and abandon every lie the enemy has told you about race or your “superiority”. He’s lying. That’s what the father of lies does – don’t be his obedient child (John 8:44).
Let’s be children of the Most High God, the ones who love (1 John 3:10).
Want to know something else? Yep, brace yourself. We do this with life stuff. We sure do. We hold on to things that have rendered themselves completely useless to us.
A local restaurant honored military veterans and their families. Throughout the restaurant there were multiple tables reserved; special signage and bright flowers designated the seating for the honorees. As my family and I ate lunch, I overheard a Korean War Veteran at the next table proudly recall his service to the country. As he began to recount the day he lost his best friend in combat, my heart sank. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he stared out the window. At that moment, I knew exactly what Memorial Day should be about.
Peer pressure as a kid feels like you have to do what others want because most kids don’t know their options. We all have to be taught how to handle peer pressure.
Most of us will not display the struggles that we all face, but we are more willing to share the highlights of our lives. As we share the happy times or our good success, someone who is experiencing a low point in life may view our moment as perfection – not realizing that it’s just that – a moment, a snapshot.
The day of May 9, 2020 came and went, and I sat back and watched just how much the Church would share their condolences for the loss of Brother Penniman. Many shared it, only as news, but not honoring him as a soul that entered the Kingdom of God.
