Confessions of a Prejudice Christian

Torn couldn't describe the feeling I had in my heart as I tasted my first mouthful of racism. As a child God gifted me with two sets of "bonus" grandparents who invested heavily in my life and received my complete loyalty in return. Thankfully these two couples never knew one another because they were of polar opposite ethnic heritage. My "Grandma and Grandpa" were Jewish descendants of brave men and women who still bore the tattoos of the dreaded concentration camps during WWII. The other couple were my "Omi and Papa" who had immigrated from Germany in their early twenties and held strong beliefs that Jews were inferior, "like pigs." My small mind swirled as it listened to stories from two perspectives. How do you rationalize the hate expressed so vehemently toward people you love simply because of DNA? I often thought that if each side could only see how wonderful the other was this ludicrousness would end.

Part of my innocence was stripped away through that experience and for many years I was unable to wrap my mind around such thinking. Time would change that. Thankfully I have loving parents who taught me that a person's worth is not found in their skin color, economic standing or cultural background. Rather, people are valuable and equal because they are made in the image of God and designed for a great purpose by Him. So it is surprising that the roots of prejudice eventually took root in my heart none the less.

To look at me you would never guess it. I have two black sisters and a Hispanic brother. I've traveled around the world loving on Asian children and have even consider adopting one. I have acquaintances of most skin colors and nationalities. Yet, when I take a hard look at those I would call "good friends" almost all of them look, talk and act the same. For any Christian in North America this should raise concern.

One of my greatest areas of weakness regarding prejudice began September 11, 2001. That date will always be burned deeply into my mind. The trauma that occurred that day in the lives of so many rocked my world. The images of people hopelessly throwing themselves from buildings. The dust and ash of death spiraling around blood soaked people. The candle light vigils. The fear. The night I sat proudly and watched with a sense of vengeance as bombs dropped on a sleeping city and destroyed those "Muslims" that I had never really heard of until they crashed planes into our towers. Suddenly an entire people group became "those people." An entire people group was no longer welcomed in my circle of friends. I don't think this was a conscious decision, but I fear that this type of prejudice is the exact behavior that has led many down the path of racism and other horrors.

Over the last few weeks and months my social media feed has seemingly been bombarded with articles and comments regarding the current racial issues occurring in our world. At times I have sought to ignore them so as not to recognize their validity. Other times I have wondered what I could possibly have to add to the conversation. After all, it seems so much has already been said. Yet, to stay silent might be one of the greatest mistakes of all. Plato once said, "Your silence gives consent" and it is for this reason that I can no longer remain silent. The awareness of my own blind spot has brought great grief to my heart and I believe many other professing Christians do not recognize the subtle prejudice and sometimes blatant racism that has infiltrated their thinking. This is why I choose to write this post. I write because it is time that Christians stand up for the oppressed, seek justice on their behalf, and humble their hearts in submission to God. I write because that black girl many find detestable is my sister. I write because is my brother is the one many flippantly refer to as a "stupid Mexican". I write because that Native woman that you stereotype as "lazy" is my friend. I write because humanity is made in the image of God. I write because every single one of these people are not mounds of chemical components but human beings with invaluable worth made at the hand of God.

Recently I heard a clip of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech during which he said,

 "I have a dream that one day. . .little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."

 

The words surrounding that quote were equally as powerful but none of them cut into my heart as these did. Sisters and brothers. It is time for Christians to root out any trace of racism from their hearts. It is time we took a stand. My friends, there are Sisters and Brothers in Christ who are being treated as worthy of extermination for their skin color. Consider also that there are individuals who may not yet know God but have been chosen by Him to be a part of His family. Could it be possible that we have built up such prejudice to their skin color or heritage that we miss the opportunity to share the love of Christ with these dear ones? I do not believe that I am being overly dramatic with such thoughts. For this reason I would like to share three simple concepts for Christians to consider. I believe that Christians who implement these concepts will create such a tremor of God's glory that it will not be able to be silenced by all the powers of hell.

 

1) Love Recklessly 

Many of us have heard Matthew 5:44 but few of us practice it. "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Other translations state, "despitefully use you." If you have identified an area of prejudice infecting your life you must pray. Pray for a heart that loves despite the behavior of others. Pray for a steadfast love toward those who act out in evil. Pray for an attitude which does not sway under intense abuse but follows Christ to the cross and petitions God for forgiveness on their behalf. Pray that those who do evil will be stopped by the mighty hand of God and would be hindered in their pursuit of evil. Personally, I must ask God for eyes that view all people, including Muslims and Arabs, as precious and worthy of the reckless love of God. Who is it that you need to carry in prayer and love without thought of return?
 

2) Speak Out For the Oppressed 

Throughout Scripture we are told to care for the widows and orphans and to extend our hands to the poor and needy. Never do we see an exception due to genetic identification in these imperatives. In fact, the offering of help was targeted toward the very one's who were considered "least" in the community. While our minds most often equate physical poverty or physical loss with the "poor and needy" these descriptors do not end here. There are those who have been stripped of a voice and are impoverished in their freedom to speak. It is these that Proverbs 31:8-9 speaks of when it says,

 

 "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

 

Oh Christian, will you open your mouth and cease your silence?

 



3) The Equal Majority

Though applicable to all ethnicities, this final concept is intended specifically for Christians of white ethnicity. There has been a great deal of attention given to those with loud voices who are advancing anti-biblical concepts. Sadly, it is a common trait of human nature to follow the loudest voice because we foolishly believe that this will bring us safety and acceptance. Ironically, these foolish voices have unintentionally created a platform on which white believers can take a stand for truth. Our lifetime has entered an era in which adoption has the capability of advancing the Gospel in astounding ways. Not only is adoption an expression of God's gift of sonship but it is also an opportunity for Christians to boldly proclaim that the redeeming blood of Christ has eliminated the dividing lines of distinction. In Christ's family all are equal because, 

 

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female"  ~ Galatians 3:38

 

This does not meant that gender, ethnicity, and social position are not to be recognized. These are clearly still evident. But as we wait for the establishment of a better Kingdom we can clearly demonstrate Kingdom living by casting off social prejudice, rejecting the loudest voice and accepting all people as equal in the eyes of God. What better way for this to happen than for the majority ethnicity to reach into the lives of the oppressed and needy and extend the hand of equality? Such an act will shout over the loudest voice and will not be silenced because the sound extended will not be that of a human voice but that of the glory of God thundering for all to hear. My friends, we cannot remain silent. Let us dream like Martin Luther King Jr. but let our dreams be of a coming reality in which every tribe, nation and tongue will cry out, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" Let this be the catalyst by which this perfect Kingdom to come is proclaimed through all the Earth.