Faith & Racism
One of the most fundamental teachings in Scripture is found in the very first chapter of the Bible, where God emphatically declares, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him - male and female, he created them." (Genesis 1.27) Humanity, in all its glorious diversity and uniqueness, derives that glory from this paramount reality: we are all, each of us, made in God's image. It is from this image-bearing intrinsic to every member of the human race that we carry such worth, value, dignity, and honor. And it is why Jesus links the fulfillment of the greatest commandment (to love God with everything we have) to the absolute necessity for us to love others as ourselves. As we honor the image of God in others, we honor the One whose image we bear.
Unfortunately, shortly after we learn of our creation in God's image, we learn of sin entering the world and lamentable degradation of that image. Humanity quickly gives into pride and selfishness, dishonoring the glory of God woven into the very nature of humanity itself. And one of the most insidious forms this dishonor & destruction takes is that of racism. Throughout all of recorded human history, we find examples of people degrading and victimizing others on the basis of race, ethnicity, and skin color.
Jesus came to set right what humanity broke so long ago, including racism and all its trappings. Tragically, those who claim to follow Him have not always done so in this regard, even up till this very day. If Christianity is to be true to her Lord, those who fill her ranks must be brave and humble enough to admit our shortcomings and actively advocate for the beauty of the Kingdom of our King. If we claim to be in Christ, we must think and act like the Jesus who has given us new life.
#Racism #ImageOfGod #WeDontTalkAboutThat
Message Series Description:
It's been said, over and over, that it's impolite to talk about religion or politics. And it seems that, as time has marched along, other topics have been added to that list: sexuality, racism, mental health, and more. These topics all tend to devolve into heated arguments, ad hominem attacks, and outright vitriol ... unless everyone already agrees on the issue! And the church has tragically leaned into this cultural phenomenon.
Instead of talking about these sometimes controversial or volatile topics with nuance, grace, and truth, the church has often slipped into a position of simply not addressing them, talking about them in an un-Jesus-like way, or (even worse) getting it flat out wrong when it's discussed. And when this happens, obstacles and offenses are piled onto the gospel, making it that much harder for people to encounter Jesus and to accept His good news.
But there is a better way, a way that holds tightly and rightly to truth, while effervescing with grace and compassion. This way IS the way of Jesus. And it is what we need to do rather than simply say, "We don't talk about that." This weekend we'll begin that conversation.
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