Greetings and salutations my fellow countrymen and countrywomen,
In this article I would like to speak truth into the racial divide that is occurring in multiple places throughout our country. Before we get too far into this, I want to make one thing clear: I am NOT speaking truth into whether flags or monuments should or should not be removed or changed in our country. I know that some of you have some very intense feelings and opinions over this subject. I, however, do not believe that answering the topic of monuments and flags will truly resolve the racial division in our country. At the very best it will put a Band-aid over a much deeper issue, but it will not permanently fix the wound.
So what will fix the deeper issue?
This question has been answered by many people in many different ways, but I believe three things regarding the racial division in our country.
1. It is a heart issue on all sides.
2. It will take time to mend the wounds – this issue cannot and will not be solved overnight. It will take an intentional and long-term effort in every ethnic group.
3. The body of Christ must lead the charge against the racial division in our country.
In this article I want to address a few things I’ve learned over these past few weeks as I resolved to learn more about the race issue and what we can do as a church to overcome using Scripture.
1. Each person is made in God’s image. (Genesis 1:27)
Just sit and ponder on that for a minute or two. Theologians refer to this concept of man being made in God’s image as the Imago Dei. What does it mean to be made in the image of God though? Well firstly, each person has intrinsic value as an image-bearer of God. Whenever a person commits a sin against another person we are essentially assaulting the image of God which every individual on this planet has been made in. God takes this so seriously in fact that in Genesis 9:6 it is written, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” (italics emphasis mine). And racial divisions occur because we do not have a healthy understanding of how every person is made in the image of God.
Let me flesh this out for us a little bit in this way. If what the Bible says is accurate and every person is made in God’s image then that means that every person we like and every person we dislike has this image put upon them.
Your husband or wife? Made in the Imago Dei.
Your favorite baseball or football player? Made in the Imago Dei.
Your children and grandchildren? Made in the Imago Dei.
The homeless and hungry on the streets? Made in the Imago Dei.
That neighbor who you just can’t seem to get along with? Made in the Imago Dei.
Democrats and/or Republicans or other political parties? Made in the Imago Dei.
The people who are burning flags and vandalizing monuments? Made in the Imago Dei.
The protesters and counter-protesters? Made in the Imago Dei.
The families who have lost family members in the midst of the racial division? Made in the Imago Dei.
And yes, there are (and should be) consequences for when someone breaks the law, but also at the same time we as the body of Christ must remember that people are made in the image of God and therefore have intrinsic value as image-bearers. And because they are image-bearers of God then we must, as ambassadors of Christ, pursue them in truth and love proclaiming the need for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Each person on this planet has intrinsic value as an image-bearer of God.
So, with a healthy understanding of the Imago Dei, how do we as the body of Christ answer the issue of racial division within our country?
Easy. Check out Ephesians 2:14-16: “For He Himself [meaning Jesus] is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross.”
The Apostle Paul is referring to the divisions that Jews and Gentiles experienced before and immediately after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Paul is addressing the issue of division in the Ephesians’ church between both people groups, and we see what he says. Jesus has reconciled both groups into one group. The dividing wall between the two groups tore down in the blood of Christ, and each man being brought into the Family of God.
Make no mistake about it, folks. Heaven is going to be a very diverse place to live. And if we are in Christ then that means we are brothers and sisters in Christ to every believer in Jesus Christ that has ever walked the planet. To summarize another author he wrote that we are more closely related to Middle-Eastern Christians than we do to Caucasian non-believers living in America. How is that possible? Because the blood of Christ breaks down the dividing wall, and makes us into one family of God.
And so, how do we respond as American believers in the midst of racial strife in our country? We reach across the line that nonbelievers want to draw in the sand, and we love our neighbors. We sit down and have lunch with people, get to know their likes and dislikes, their dreams and fears, and build relationships with people who, frankly, don’t look or sound like us. And yes, it will be awkward and hard at first. But Jesus has broken down the dividing wall with his blood, and it is high-time we pursued each other as family ought to.
I recognize, with the writing of these words, that there possibly might be contention over this article. Maybe you disagree with me. Maybe you very strongly agree with me. Well, I encourage you to come and dialogue with me. Send me a message, give me a phone call. I am willing to allow this conversation to continue. Thank you. And may God bless you and your kin.
Evan Sheridan serves as the associate pastor at New Hope Baptist Church in Foxworth. Email him at evanjames16@gmail.com or call (601) 395-3450.
