Racism is sin. More than a political issue, we must understand that any form of racism is sin against a holy God. Racism is both a sin against God and also a sin against our neighbor. Jesus calls us to love others as he has loved us (John 15:12) and James warns against the sin of partiality in James chapter 2. It is our sin that Christ died for and came to save us from, and so we ought to be the first to stand up against the sin of racism. As believers, we need to stand in the gap that our divided culture has created as we seek to love others, seek justice, and speak for any who are oppressed. 

George Floyd - Created in God’s Image

Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.“ Scripture is clear that all men and women have been created in the image of God. As His image bearers, we consider the life of every human being a sacred thing. A treasured thing. A protected thing. Whether it is the unborn child, the elderly, or the incarcerated criminal, we are all created by God the Father in his image. So when any life is lost, it is a tragedy. 

Weep with Those Who Weep

Romans 12:15 calls us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” As fellow image bearers and Christ followers, we should be the first people to come alongside our brothers and sisters (believers or not) and weep when a life is lost. Psalm 34:18 reminds us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Following the example of Christ, we should run to the brokenhearted. It is there that we are given great opportunity to show the love of Christ. Our compassion, our sympathy, our nearness is a demonstration of God’s love in and through us.

Bear the Burden of Others

Galatians 6:2 tells us to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” There is a heaviness for those who are suffering right now. People are speaking out about the oppression and racism that they themselves have experienced. It is our duty to bear their burdens with them. We may not be able to fully understand what they have gone through, but we have a Father in Heaven who does. Let us point people to Christ in this hour, the one who supremely bears our burdens.

Fight for Justice

Isaiah 1:17 exhorts “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” We serve a just God and so we should seek justice for those who are oppressed and have been wronged. If we will not fight against the sin and wrongdoings of others, who will? 

Look to the Interest of Others

Philippians 2:3 instructs “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Are we considering others more important than ourselves? The African-American community is speaking out against wrongs done to them. They are calling for change. As we consider others more important than ourselves, let us open our hearts to hear the words that they are speaking. Let us listen to their pain. Let us come alongside and bear their burden. Let us work justice.