I recently read an article about a Wal-Mart store somewhere in which someone made a racial slur over the loud speakers. It made some people mad, and rightfully so as it comes completely out of the dark ages and right off the heels of ignorance. But you don’t have to look very far to see that we have some of that same quality right here in Jones County. And guess what? It even happens in church.

There are homes, businesses, streets, and even neighborhoods in our county where people of a different color are not welcome but I’m talking about church, the temple, God’s house! Granted, if you’re a Christian then your body is a temple and that alone should eradicate the problem, but for the sake of simplicity, we’re referring to the places where people gather themselves together to worship.

Yes, we’re talking about church, the brick-and-mortar establishments that are filled each week with gossip, selfishness, idolatry, fornication, adultery, and where countless other sins are found, convicted, and laid at the altar for forgiveness. Week after week, God convicts and God cleanses as people confess their sins and seek His forgiveness. But how often do we ask for the forgiveness of racism? Is racism even a sin? Is it wrong to segregate and discriminate? What does the bible say about racism? Is God a racist?

The first thing you should really understand and get your minds around is that there is only one race — the human race. Regardless of what color your skin may be, you are not a “different” race. You are part of the human race. So, yes, God is a racist — a human racist in that He loves and He died for all of us. While there are different races, there are different ethnicity’s of the human race.

We all share the same basic physical characteristics, with only minor variations. To name only a few: we all were designed to walk upright on two legs. We all are designed with opposing thumbs. We were given five senses. And we were also give logic, reason, and emotion. With that comes the ability to love one another.

All human beings are created in the image and likeness of God, according to Genesis 1. The bible also says that God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus to lay down His life for us. It says the world — not just one or two groups of people — but the whole world. God does not show partiality or favoritism and neither should we. We should instead love our neighbors as ourselves. (I think I’ve read that somewhere.)

But didn’t God show partiality in the bible? In Old Testament times, God did divide “humanity” into two “racial” groups: Jews and Gentiles. His intent was pretty clear. It was for the Jews to be a kingdom of priests, ministering to the Gentile nations. But, the Jews became full of pride with their status and grew to hate and despised the Gentiles. Let’s be very clear here. This is not a biblical mandate or example of racism. This is not a group of “one color” despising “another color.”

But in the New Testament, Jesus put an end to this and He destroyed the division of hostility. All forms of racism, prejudice, and discrimination are wrong and make a mockery of the work of Christ on that cross. Jesus commands us to love one another as He loves us. If God is impartial and loves us with impartiality, then shouldn’t we love others with that same standard. Jesus said whatever we do to the least of His brothers, we do to Him. So, if we treat a person with contempt, aren’t we then mistreating a person created in God’s image; aren’t we hurting someone God loves and someone Jesus gave His life for?

Racism is a plague. Like a disease it begins small and unnoticed but can grow to consume and kill. The bible commands us to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave us. Racists may not deserve forgiveness, but did we deserve God’s forgiveness? I think not.

Is God a racist? You bet He is — a human racist. He created us all. He died for us all. He loves us all. Remember, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”



Richard Bates is pastor of Fair Ridge Baptist Church in Stringer. He can be reached at richardandginny@comcast.net or 601-498-7368.