Hello,
In the reading of everything that happened this last weekend
in Virginia, I have been thinking about how little regard we seem to have for
human life. We have forgotten that being human is the common bond. Hatred ought
to only exist in one form – towards sin. I came across a writing by Tim Keller,
a Pastor and author from New York. I want to snag from him some scriptural
references that he made. (you can find his full article on the gospel coalition
web page)
-The Bible is clear that racism is wrong: Acts 17:26-27 “and
He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the
earth, having determined their appointed times and boundaries of their habitation,
that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him,
though He is not far from each one of us;” (NASB)
We also see in here that it is God’s desire for all to come
to know Him.
-In Genesis God sets a high standard for taking the life of
a person, and the reason is that we are all in His image Genesis 9:6 “Whoever
sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He
made man.” (NASB)
-Jonah puts the work of God behind his interests for his
country – not wanting to see them repent. When they do, and Jonah sulks over it
God says in Jonah 4:11 “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city
in which there are more than 120,000 person who do now know the difference
between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?” (NASB)
-In the New Testament as the work of Jesus is being spread
throughout the world we see that it breaks down racial barriers, not creates
them: Galatians 2:11-14 “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his
face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from
James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to
withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The
rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas
was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not
straightforward about the truth of the Gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence
of all, ‘if you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how
is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?” (NASB) Paul goes on from
here in this chapter to lay out salvation by faith in Jesus being available to
all.
-Paul in Galatians 3:28 says “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in
Christ Jesus.” (NASB)
-Later in the letter to the church at Ephesus Paul discusses
the Jews/Gentiles topic and says “But now in Christ Jesus you who were formerly
far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our
peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier fo the dividing
wall.” (Eph 2:13-14, NASB)
You want to help push for peace? Recognize our common human
bond as created in God’s image and share His love in real and practical ways –
and talk about it!
Have a blessed day,
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