My Response to a Black Sister Who Rightly Feels Repulsion Over Prejudice in a Church Where She Attends With Predominately White Members.
“My dear (Sister), I regret that you’re seeing and hearing so many disturbing things, including (things) in your church. It’s heart-wrenching, and I have felt it when I attended a Christian college having a little over 859 students with only .8% black students. My disillusionment and anger were deeply felt. I had to pray hard about not being overwhelmed with hostility and resentment. I kept saying to myself, ‘These are Christians!’ ‘How can they be prejudiced?’ Not all we’re. In fact, a few were very close friends, including some Asian and Hispanic students. I had to repent at one time because I distanced myself from my friendly white roommate, and it was very painful to be around him as long as I felt bitterness toward him. He had done nothing wrong to me, but I had associated him with white Christian bigotry. I was guilty of stereotyping. I was wrong, and God used that experience to teach me a lesson. Bigotry & prejudice among many white Christians are real and should be sternly rebuked. However, if I assume all white Christians are prejudiced and practice bigotry, then I am prejudiced too and spiritually blind. That was and is tough to swallow. Also, if I’m to obey Jesus’ words to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44), how much more should I apply this towards my prejudice white brothers and sisters, including my repulsive black, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, etc., brothers and sisters? I couldn’t and cannot handle despicable unsaved folks and arrogant, hypocritical saved folks (skin color doesn’t matter) without my submission to the Lord’s work in my life as Philippians 1:6; 2:13 teach me. I also keep in mind that Scripture says, ‘For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:12-13). So, we’re primarily in a spiritual battle, not a ‘race’ war. But let’s also remember that ‘in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39). Keep that attitude and let the Lord lead you regarding whether you should stay or leave that church. If you decide to leave, be sure to inform the pastor in a firm but cordial manner. I’ve already prayed for you. By the way, try hard to think of me as your brother-in-Christ than a Trump supporter. We’ve agreed to disagree on that point. Remember, if you feel my supporting President Trump is a sin, let’s agree that ‘above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.’1 Peter 4:8).” Unfortunately, many believers determine what’s sinful based solely on political affiliation.
Comments