Racism in the Church, part 2
In my last blog, I exposed the roots of racism and placed the greatest responsibility on the church. Addressing racism and eradicating it in our nation and the world is our responsibility. I would like to offer some biblical solutions that we can take—not tomorrow—right now!
Hate what God hates
I believe God has allowed us to live in this season of time when racism is running rampant and unchecked so we can make a difference. It’s time for believers to get their heads out of the sand and speak up on behalf of God concerning racism. We exist as the body of Christ to represent Him here on earth, true?
Simply expressed: God hates racism just like he hates lying, divorce, murder, abortion and any other sin. There needs to be a unified church voice that says we hate what God hates, and that is racism. We won’t tolerate it in our lives or our churches.
Making that statement should bring many believers to the altars of repentance because, unfortunately, racism does exist in the heart of some believers.
Suggested steps to take
Let me suggest some steps we, as the body of Christ, should take:
- Each local church should have a service for the specific purpose of repenting for the past sin of racism; sin that the Christian church embraced before and during the years of slavery. Whether we like it or not, the church has a faulty foundation of racism that has been overlooked for years.
- I believe we need to commit ourselves to root out any racism that exists in our churches today by speaking against it from the pulpits. We as believers and church leaders have been quiet too long and now is the time to make our voices heard. We need to remind our flock that racism is a sin and that it will not be tolerated in our churches. We should make our altars available for repentance for those who are convicted by the Holy Spirit.
- As a corporate body, we need to set time during our services to pray against the demonic activity that’s behind racism in our church and nation. Scripture says our battle isn’t fought against flesh and blood, but against demon spirits that work through people who have open doors to racism.
- Pastors need to teach and remind their congregants of the history of racism in this nation, and ask the Holy Spirit to impart empathy in our hearts so we would have a greater love for all people—especially for people of color.
- We need to make our congregants aware of open doors in their own lives passed down in their family lineage. We may have unconsciously embraced a belief system of racism. Maybe some of us are unaware of the roots of racism in our lives.
A good example would be: A father who raises his children with a lifestyle degrading people of color. He passes on the belief that people of color aren’t equal to white people and don’t deserve the same form of justice. As adults, when they accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the children carry those same demonic beliefs into their Christian life. They never denounced their generational sin of racism, nor were they even challenged to do so from the pulpit. Too often it isn’t addressed as sinful and against the heart of God. - The people of God need to stop addressing each other by color and ethnic background. This creates division and separation, rather than unity. God created only one human race and we are all children of the Most High God. Our Father knows and identifies us by our spirit—not our color. We need to see each other through spirit eyes, not carnal eyes that are influenced by Satan.
Cleansing and outpouring
Just these few things implemented immediately and consistently will cause a cleansing and purification of the body of Christ. And there needs to be a cleansing in the church before there can be a great outpouring of His presence.
I believe we are about to experience a “Psalm 133 Outpouring” that would touch this nation and every nation across the globe….
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing–Life forevermore.” —Psalm 133:1-3
We are called to be examples of what heaven’s culture looks like to unbelievers. But, before we can see a true breakthrough, racism has to be confronted and dealt with first by you and me—the church of the living God!
Let’s do our part
If you’re a Pastor reading this, let’s join our hearts together and bring an end to racism by doing our part. If you’re a member of a church, please get this article into the hands of your Pastor and encourage him to confront racism.
Remember, you can be an asset by supporting Christians that take responsibility for ending racism in America. Better yet, join us in prayer for this miracle movement of God to take place in this season. I declare: We will see the end of racism in our lifetime!…