COV LIFE BLOG

Galatians 3:1-10 — The Gospel Cure for Racism

Racism is having a devastating effect on the whole world. But the problem is not exclusive to the secular realm. The Church has also contributed to this tragic scene with an “indifference and resistance by Christians who are intolerant toward those of other backgrounds, ignoring their spiritual and physical needs.”

Yet this ugly stripe of guilt in the Church is inconsistent with her very identity as bearers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Love is to be the badge of Christian discipleship, not bigotry, preference or racial bias. At the very heart of Christianity is God’s acceptance of anyone through Christ regardless of race, language or class. Thus while in many cases the Church is a contributor to the problem, Christians with the gospel of the redemptive work of Christ have the answer to the world’s quest toward racial reconciliation.

Unity is a symptom of the reconciling work of God. The early Church overcame the initial temptation to be only a Jewish sect. Their fellowships demonstrated a visible unity, not an invisible one. This is demanded from the very nature of what it means to confess Christ. A true confession must mean to affirm the end of all division and hostility, separation and segregation, enmity and contempt, prejudice and bigotry.

The Church was founded upon the basic principle that all dividing walls have been destroyed by Christ’s death. They continue to exist in the non-Christian world, but among the fellowship of believers such distinctions have no place. The racial conflict between Jew and Gentile was notorious in its day. Nevertheless God, through the sacrifice of Jesus, overcame the enmity. That was a demonstration of the power of the gospel.

What effect would the Church have on the world if in great contrast to the habit of racial segregation congregations displayed a unity of its members from all different backgrounds sharing in common worship around the table of communion? Would not the world, which sees no possible solution to the race problems, sit up and take note? Would they not ask how the Church manages such a feat? And would not the Church then have the opportunity of pointing the world to Christ?

Bruce Fong

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Heart Preparation
Read Ephesians 3:1-10. Consider the fact that Christ has destroyed the division between races and made us all heirs and partakers of the promises in Christ. How can you begin to have our church reflect the unity for which Christ created us in regards to the many races around us? Do you need to change an attitude? Do you need to pursue a neighbor? Do you need to give up some preferences particular to your race? Is there something else the Spirit would convict you about?

Remember, this week we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper. In light of the unity which this meal proclaims is there someone you need to pursue reconciliation with before you would be able to take of the supper?