Racism in the Church, part 1

Once again, racism has overtaken the daily headlines in America. The senseless death of another young black man at the hands of a police officer raises the question: Will there ever be a solution to the racial problems in America?

The root of the problem

We have tried to resolve this problem of systemic racism since the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. Though we have made some advancements in equality among the races and in dealing with some of its effects, we haven’t really done away with the core problem of racism which is sin. You can cut off the fruit of a tree and still find it growing back again every year. Unless you get to the root of the problem, you’ll never bring a lasting solution. 

Peaceful protests, new legislation, more black police officers, better education and job opportunities for the black community are great suggestions and are things we should institute. But it will never do away with racism until we are willing to face the root issue in our lives, and that is sin. Since it is a spiritual problem, it demands a spiritual solution which absolutely involves the church today.

Until we as the body of Christ are willing to join together and look into the mirror of God’s word, we will never see racism done away with. It needs to be eradicated first within us, as Christians, before we can affect the world in which we live.

Some of us were raised with the belief (prejudice) that one race is better than the other. Satan, the father of all lies is at work to deceive people’s hearts and minds, but unfortunately the church has not dealt with it. Racism is still found in the church, which is supposed to be the conscience and soul of this nation. And, there are even churches that are prejudiced against each other. I’ve heard it said that the most racist day of the week is Sunday! We have all-black churches, all-white churches and we have mixed churches; yet, even in mixed churches, there can be an undercurrent of prejudice. 

One race: human

There is only one human race, just one. And until we bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus, racism will always exist. Only the love of the Father through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit can help us walk in unconditional love toward one another; where we don’t see color—only God’s gift of life in each other. 

As long as we remain carnal Christians, we will never resolve the racial problem in this world. People are calling for justice, but true justice is something that originates from the heart of God; it’s His idea, not man’s. But, nothing from God is released on this earth unless we surrender all of our heart to Him and allow Him to live through us. 

Repentance in the church

The bottom line is that the church must address this issue with all sincerity and truthfulness by first repenting for its own long-standing racist attitudes. Most of the racism in the past—supporting slavery and killing innocent black people—was supported and even encouraged by the church! Search our history.

We have hidden it under the cover of religious piety, but it’s like filthy rags before the Lord. 

Denominations have black clergy and Hispanic clergy and then just clergy. Too few people of color are found in leadership. In some churches, minorities have a secondary role even if they are more qualified than others. 

We tolerate racist remarks and behavior in our churches, yet hesitate to bring godly correction for fear of losing our caucasian constituents. We don’t support those who are willing to address issues of racial equality and we vote for parties with racist agendas.

It’s time for us as Christian leaders to confront these issues with our own congregations and lead them into the truth about God’s justice. 

Denominations need to come together, putting away our swords and submitting to God’s mandate to “let our light shine before men that they may see our good works.” We should pray together for racial injustice to cease and for the roots of racism to be completely destroyed. 

One enemy: satan

Satan is our enemy, and sin is the vehicle he uses. We are God’s weapon against racism. Therefore, the church needs to teach its people the root causes of racial injustice and the history of racism in our nation. 

The church needs to address these issues with zeal and, once and for all, commit to show the fruits of righteousness in our cities. We need to rally together black, white, Hispanic—all men as one in the name of Jesus!