Faith. Racism. Stand
There is a lot going on in the world right now. Not only are we in a global pandemic, right now in the United States we are fighting for black people’s rights and about to go into an election year. So, whereas Christians should we fall? What should we be doing, saying, and believing?
*Disclaimer. This post is truly what I believe but I did my research I made sure to educate myself and I sought out all my truths in the Bible.
1. We are called to Love.
Matthew 22: 37-39 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
We are told to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. How are you loving others different than you? Are you treating them with respect or hate? Are you seeing them as God would see them? I love what Pastor Sammy Adebiyi, from SOMA City Church, said; “People over politics… The starting point is not politics, it is our view of people.” We need to be close enough to love everyone and truly understand what they are going through. We can’t judge or demean others if we ourselves do not know what they are dealing with. We need to love them for where they are, who they are, and what they are struggling with. We need to care for the hurting, as Jesus would. It’s often hard to step away from your viewpoint, to jump in and get messy, but if I choose to love someone as Jesus does, it’s not always going to be easy or clean.
2. God created us all equal!
Hebrews 12:14 “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy, without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
When we choose to put our own prideful ways at the forefront of our actions that is all people see. Our life should be an example for nonbelievers. We should work together for the good of those who live with Christ and those that are far from Him. When we choose our own selfish actions to stand by, we are turning people away from our one mission on earth and that is to share the gospel with others. How do you need to show equality to someone?
3. God created us perfect. Jesus doesn’t see the difference in people.
Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
This is the whole reason I started this blog, I wanted everyone to feel welcome and know that you are made perfect by God and for God. God made us each unique and the amazing part is that we are modeled after him. So, when you are singling out others because of their looks or intelligence, you are insulting God.
Psalms 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
4. Stand for what you believe in! Here’s the hard part.
You need to stand for what you believe in it. First, make sure you understand what you believe. Research. Talk it over with someone you trust (and won’t sway you). But UNDERSTAND IT FULLY. If you don’t understand what you stand for then how can you properly stand for it. You need to know the flaws and positives. When you truly know all that you can stand by it 100%. Form your options and your beliefs...
BUT here is my caution. Do this all in LOVE. As stated in the prior points; we are called to love others. Political and belief statements can be hurtful to others. This should not deter you from sharing what you believe in, however; it’s should caution you on the way that you share it. Remember not everyone believes what you believe and even if they are the same political party. They may not believe every detail that you do. So, honor that and share it. Let’s move to point 5.
5. Share what you believe. Yes, I intentionally used the word share,
To define it in the verb context means; use, occupy or enjoy (something) jointly with another or others. I love the final phrasing of this because it means that the other person had beliefs as well. And we are called to listen and share with each other.
Listening to those who have different beliefs than you not only educated you but allow you to be more informed.
Here is what I want you to take from this, listen to the other options. And I mean listen. Don’t hear what they’re not saying and don’t start forming your rebuttal as soon as they open their mouth. LISTEN. Take the time to understand their point of view. And I mean truly understand their points. Hear them out. It will later help you understand where they are coming from and also help you make a more informed decision. Do this all with a calm spirit. It is so easy right now to act on our emotions. We need to take a step back, clear our head to have an honest conversation. When we make an emotionally driven decision, we lose sight of what we really trying to get across and how it will affect others. Take time to form your opinion and listen to those who are different than yours.
Remember, you can’t change what you don’t understand!
This is how the change will happen. When we all start talking and not fighting.
As a Christian, a child of God, a believer, and a human, we stand for the oppressed and the brokenhearted. That is what we are called to do. In addition, continue to stand up for yourself and your beliefs, you should. Don’t let the beliefs of others trample you down, but don’t trample them down either!
Here’s really want I want you to talk home, is do this all in, you guessed it, LOVE. I want to leave you with this verse; Colossians 3:14: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
The only way we can cause change is to LOVE others.
The only way we can help others see each person is different but still, a child of God is LOVE.
The only way we can break the barriers of oppression is LOVE.
The love that binds us all together. The LOVE and hope that we should be sharing with others. When we stand for what we believe in by faith, change can happen!
