Christ

Biblical Principles about Race: Christ

Just like sin and the fall radically and negatively affected every area of our lives, redemption through Christ is to radically and positively affect every area of our lives. Through the fall, man was cast down and broken. Through grace, he was picked up and repaired. The fall made us bad; redemption makes us good, like God originally created us (Genesis 1:31). Through the fall we act like the devil; through redemption we can act like Jesus!

Sin confused our racial identity and unity and created insecurity, racism, prejudice, and fear. Racism, then, comes from self-doubt. The person who exemplifies and expresses any form of racial prejudice is only demonstrating their own racial doubt, racial insecurity, and racial fear.

Therefore, sin and the fall created feelings of racial inferiority in some, and feelings of racial

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superiority in others. Both feelings are equally wrong and equally unbiblical! The Bible tells us that the cross of Jesus Christ crosses out all of our racism, prejudice, hatred, and fear. Tragically, this is an area of sanctification that is yet to take place in the lives of many of God’s people around the world. This is demonstrated by the fact that Christian churches tend to meet, fellowship, and worship around racial, tribal, and ethnic lines.

However, all of humanity stands on equal, level ground at the foot of the cross. No racial group is closer to the cross than any other. Therefore, their fellowship at the foot of the cross should demonstrate this unity.

The Bible assures us that Christ died for all; His blood was shed for all; His Holy Spirit dwells in all who believe—and His Church is for all. As Jesus quoted Isaiah 56:7, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17).

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