The death of George Floyd, and other incidents concerning race, have brought the charge of racism to the forefront of the public attention. Protests, riots, attacks on individuals, buildings burned, monuments defaced and damaged, have impacted lives and livelihoods across the nation. The policeman involved in the death of George Floyd has been charged with murder and others with aiding or abetting in the incident.
Consequently, as the media and people in general are wont to do, they have painted with a broad brush and innocent people are being attacked and persecuted. Politicians have done what politicians tend to do, which is to preen for the camera. Various police officers, innocent of any wrongdoing, have been attacked simply for wearing the uniform. I have been blessed to know and to attend church with several police officers over the past 40 years. Those I have had the pleasure of knowing have been good people doing necessary jobs that many people would decline. And usually for insufficient pay for the dangers they face daily. And I believe they are typical of most police officers. But there are always that small percentage that are not typical.
Regardless of the occupation you pick, there will be those in that occupation who do not meet the standard. There will always be those who do wrong in many ways, whether in civilian or government occupations, military, civil service, or elected office. There will be those that try to do right, and those that do not. Keep in mind that scripture tells us we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God and there is none righteous, no not one (Romans Chapter 3).
With that said, racism is most definitely an issue. But is it the problem or a symptom of a greater problem? Racism is “the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” None of us should think we are better than someone else solely because of our skin color. To be blunt, racism is wrong. Of this there should be no doubt. But I do not believe racism is the illness, it is a symptom of a greater illness. Under the law of cause and effect, racism is an effect but not the cause. The cause is SIN.
Sociologists have studied racial issues, cultural differences, ethnic differences, and education in attempting to solve or alleviate issues with racial harmony. What is going on around the nation today would indicate there is a lot of work to be done to achieve racial harmony. Can man achieve racial harmony through government mandated means? I doubt it. The government cannot change someone’s heart. But there is someone who can change hearts and minds.
I believe there is only one way to achieve racial harmony in our world. That is through the love of Jesus Christ. What were the two greatest commandments according to Jesus? “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV). Jesus also said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 (ESV).
When we attempt to take God out of the public arena, we remove the only means of maintaining peace and love for our fellow man. People will do what is “right in their own eyes.” And doing what is right in their own eyes is usually wrong. We need that standard which is God and his Word. That is the guideline for living right and maintaining a just society.
When we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and love our neighbor as we do ourselves, then we will start seeing progress and harmony in our relationships. When the love of God and love for our neighbor comes in our heart, soul, and mind, then hate, spite, and a feeling of superiority must leave. We cannot drive God out of our society and our hearts and expect to have the love of our fellow man still reside in our hearts. It just does not work that way. The sickness is sin. The physician is Jesus Christ. The cure is to have a relationship with him. We need to pray for a national revival. “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV).
Racism – Cause and Cure
June 12, 2020 by admin • Food for Thought • Tags: Racism • 0 Comments
The death of George Floyd, and other incidents concerning race, have brought the charge of racism to the forefront of the public attention. Protests, riots, attacks on individuals, buildings burned, monuments defaced and damaged, have impacted lives and livelihoods across the nation. The policeman involved in the death of George Floyd has been charged with murder and others with aiding or abetting in the incident.
Consequently, as the media and people in general are wont to do, they have painted with a broad brush and innocent people are being attacked and persecuted. Politicians have done what politicians tend to do, which is to preen for the camera. Various police officers, innocent of any wrongdoing, have been attacked simply for wearing the uniform.
I have been blessed to know and to attend church with several police officers over the past 40 years. Those I have had the pleasure of knowing have been good people doing necessary jobs that many people would decline. And usually for insufficient pay for the dangers they face daily. And I believe they are typical of most police officers. But there are always that small percentage that are not typical.
Regardless of the occupation you pick, there will be those in that occupation who do not meet the standard. There will always be those who do wrong in many ways, whether in civilian or government occupations, military, civil service, or elected office. There will be those that try to do right, and those that do not. Keep in mind that scripture tells us we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God and there is none righteous, no not one (Romans Chapter 3).
With that said, racism is most definitely an issue. But is it the problem or a symptom of a greater problem? Racism is “the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” None of us should think we are better than someone else solely because of our skin color. To be blunt, racism is wrong. Of this there should be no doubt. But I do not believe racism is the illness, it is a symptom of a greater illness. Under the law of cause and effect, racism is an effect but not the cause. The cause is SIN.
Sociologists have studied racial issues, cultural differences, ethnic differences, and education in attempting to solve or alleviate issues with racial harmony. What is going on around the nation today would indicate there is a lot of work to be done to achieve racial harmony. Can man achieve racial harmony through government mandated means? I doubt it. The government cannot change someone’s heart. But there is someone who can change hearts and minds.
I believe there is only one way to achieve racial harmony in our world. That is through the love of Jesus Christ. What were the two greatest commandments according to Jesus? “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV). Jesus also said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 (ESV).
When we attempt to take God out of the public arena, we remove the only means of maintaining peace and love for our fellow man. People will do what is “right in their own eyes.” And doing what is right in their own eyes is usually wrong. We need that standard which is God and his Word. That is the guideline for living right and maintaining a just society.
When we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and love our neighbor as we do ourselves, then we will start seeing progress and harmony in our relationships. When the love of God and love for our neighbor comes in our heart, soul, and mind, then hate, spite, and a feeling of superiority must leave. We cannot drive God out of our society and our hearts and expect to have the love of our fellow man still reside in our hearts. It just does not work that way. The sickness is sin. The physician is Jesus Christ. The cure is to have a relationship with him. We need to pray for a national revival. “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV).