Crimson Unity: Jesus vs. Racism — Foundations Part 1
Post #2
Foundations Pt. 1 — Why Satan Loves Racism
Welcome
On a scale of 1 to 10, how well would you say you really understand racism?
Prayer/Declaration
Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, be near us as we seek to realize Your beautiful vision of Revelation 7:9–10
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Word — God has never been shy about telling us about His feelings on institutional bias and personal bigotry:
· Proverbs 11:1 “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight” — our God loves justice.
· In Acts 10:34–35 we read that “God is no respecter of persons“.
· Luke 6:43–45 tells us that we are to “judge a tree by its fruit” not by appearances.
Focus Truth: The Holy Spirit goes on to say in 1 Samuel 16:7
” …the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
What does this tell us, believers?
What is Racism?
Racism is both a Satanic mindset and a sinful act.
Racism: (from the Oxford Languages Dictionary)
§ Noun — the belief that different races possess distinct characteristics, abilities, or qualities, especially so as to distinguish them as inferior or superior to one another.
§ Verb — antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.
The Origins of Racism
It’s not widely known, but early in his earthly career, a scripture revealed Satan’s 5-point plan. It’s recorded in Isaiah 14:12–13. This is when sin entered the Universe for the first time:
Satan’s Manifesto
12 “How you are fallen from Heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
Each of the five “I Wills” is an aspect of Lucifer‘s divisive agenda. In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12), Christ lays out the spiritual strategy for believers to overcome that agenda. In the early Church, the Holy Spirit falls five times, anointing them to overcome each aspect of Satan’s plan. When did the Holy Spirit imbue them with this power? Each time, only when they were “in one accord” — in true unity — with God and one another.
Satan’s Scheme Today
Satan’s purpose today is still to divide the Church, as a unified Church is empowered mightily to foil his master scheme. In fact, Satan’s Antichrist cannot even rise to power until the Church is raptured, as the Holy Spirit living in us restrains him. It is foundational to God’s vision that believers are the administrators of Eternity and eternal matters (Revelation 2:26, Ephesians 1:7–10), and so the Church is targeted. The Enemy’s goal is to divide your church as well:
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:17–18
3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1–5
Racist Acts Against Us
Already we are in difficult waters with this abhorrent evil. It’s not that our response to those who cause divisions is unclear — both of these verses prescribe separation. Yet, as sure as this is to minimize the damage in a church, particularly for a truly unified body of believers, it can’t be the end of the story. Not with a savior with such mercy for all sins short of blaspheming of the Holy Spirit. Even folks like you and me. The heart of God (Isaiah 55, Acts 13–17) is that God’s redemptive work is more valuable than our fleshly shortcomings, however vile.
For perspective: an extreme bigot once bent on jailing and killing as many Christians as possible was redeemed. After a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ, He went on to lead untold numbers to Jesus and write two-thirds of the New Testament. The early church had to warily receive Paul, who was once Saul the Pharisee, just as Christ had forgiven and received them.
Too often in the case of racism, forgiveness is fantastically difficult. That’s part of the reason it’s been so tough to eradicate. Please understand that forgiveness is always indicated; reconciliation is not. More on what forgiveness is and is not later as well, but know up front that it is the only sin-stopper.
Group Racism
This holds for larger groups of people as well, as exemplified by the Tutsi forgiveness of the Hutus in the wake of the Rwandan genocide, or closer to home the ongoing healing from the American holocaust of chattel slavery.
We have stood amazed that any Black Americans are Christian, with the terrible perversions of scripture used to justify the pure evil committed by slaveholders. Tragically, there exist today more slaves per capita than during any time in history (IRH), and mass incarcerations of minorities (such as the Uighurs in China) only add to those numbers.
Remember that by definition, racism is not only against race but ethnicity. According to the ICC (International Christian Concern), Nigeria has seen between 50,000 and 70,000 Christians martyred since November 2010. Listening to the parade of evils from racism, it is hard not to take up every offense, and harder still to choose which hill to die on defending righteousness and justice.
We submit that the hill most worth dying on in the fight against racism is Calvary. Strictly human efforts may win a few battles, but history shows clearly that the Satanic tool of racism resurfaces and flourishes undaunted. The heart path is in plain sight:
19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Galatians 2:19–21
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. Ephesians 6:12
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19
Try reading what follows as a set of wise tactics:
9 Let love be without hypocrisy.
<be as dedicated to loving everyone as you are to those closest to you>
Abhor what is evil.
<be disgusted with evil and refuse to embody it>
Cling to what is good.
<hold goodness close, and tightly>
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another
<yield in love, universal brotherhood>
11 not lagging in diligence
<don’t let your effort levels lag because an act isn’t for you or yours, or is someone you dislike, or has offended you, or…>
fervent in spirit, serving the Lord
< In the spirit of Matthew 25:31–40>
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer
<defeating evil with good, your faith hidden safely in Christ>
13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
<all of Luke Chapter 10>
4 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
<Recall Ananias’ ministry to blinded Saul, the enemy of Christians, and the fruit of that faithfulness (Acts 9:10–19)>
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
<care; be open-hearted>
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
<We seek Christ together — all hearts afflicted before a holy God — all kneeling with the crucified thief before our sinless Savior on the cross>
17 Repay no one evil for evil.
<No exceptions>
Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
<celebrate God, His word and His goodness openly>
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
<Love covers over a multitude of sins and imperfections, as God has done for us in Christ>
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
<It is impossible for us to be righteous judges. Romans 2:17–20 says we’ll bring judgment on ourselves. There is always something about someone that only God knows. The Old Testament heroes get in trouble each time they want to destroy what God would redeem, and preserve what God would destroy>
20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
< There’s an entire sermon in verse 20, beyond the scope of this course.>
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9–17 NKJV
Making peace with sin wherever it lurks — in ourselves, others, institutions, or in seeming acts of righteous retaliation — solves nothing. It builds deep resentment and frustration, and lets us, sooner or later, feel justified in returning evil for evil.
Pause for Thought #1 — Apart from Christ, what options do people have for dealing with the resentments, rage, and resultant social ills from racism? Are any of them fruitful?
We don’t know about you, but other than Jesus, we’ve never seen a life that doesn’t have something to criticize after a closer look. The point is that it will always be possible to find sin in what someone/some group/some institution is doing, or in their past. It’s the Hatfields and the McCoys, the Hutus and the Tutsis, the Democrats and the Republicans (all listed alphabetically, for those with over-watchful eyes). Nancy calls these kinds of sins “Satan’s Freebies”. He just tosses the match, and we keep it burning while he sits back and laughs at our long-term pain and suffering. Gambling, drug addiction, lying, pornography, violence, and yes, racism are just some of the notables. They feed upon themselves.
In Foundations — Part 2, we examine our own racist actions and attitudes.
><> d & n
