INTRODUCTION: The following letter was written by a black sister to her predominantly black congregation. I reproduce this letter in full with her permission. I detest racism with every fiber of my being, and it always grieves me to see it expressed in the body of Christ; especially when those distinctions are
supposed to have been eradicated in Christ (Acts 17:26; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11). My desire as a pastor has always been to have a multi-ethnic church because such is consistent with New Testament teachings, is a glimpse of what the multi-ethnic church in heaven will be like, and it makes a powerful statement against the sin of racism. The sister's letter expresses my thoughts better than I ever could. May you be blessed and sobered by what you read below, regardless of the color of your skin.
A Letter to My Fellow African-American Followers of Christ
Dear Men and Women of God,
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” -I John 4:20.
How many times have we heard this scripture? Do we really understand what this passage means and the implications of a professing Christian not loving other Christians? Let’s assume that we do fully understand this passage. How is it then that so many Black Christians exhibit such hatred and disdain for white people? Is a white man not our “brother” in Christ because he is not a “brother” in complexion? We call white people all kinds of names, accuse them of all manner of evil, and make assumptions about them simply on the basis of them being white. Isn’t this racist behavior and way of thinking exactly what we criticize “them” for? Then how do we feel justified to participate in such behavior? Does God justify us in such remarks and thoughts? Certainly not!
Ok, so our excuse is we are only talking about the “bad” or “racist” white people when we call them crackers, pink people, “other” people, evil, nasty, etc. Well, define who are the “bad” ones? Do we clarify this when making our reviling accusations and spewing our racist remarks? Usually not. It usually goes something like this “white people are greedy”, “white people only wanna tear us down”, “white people are to blame for …..”, “only crackers do that crazy mess”, etc. These and much worse comments have all been heard coming from the mouths of those who profess to be followers and lovers of Christ. And would clarifying that we are only talking about racist whites really make unforgiveness and hatred ok? Not if we actually practice the Word that we say we believe.
“But 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
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:45
Now before getting all in an uproar because you think I am calling you “evil”, stop. We, as Christians, may not be “evil” if we have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, but we can still certainly have evil thoughts and feelings. Take a quick minute and search your feelings and thoughts about white people. How do you really feel about them? What types of comments have you made about them during discussions in the beauty salon, in the barber shop, after church on Sunday, at a family gathering, in a moment of confidence between you and a friend? Are these thoughts and feelings holy? Would God honor the wishes that you have towards white people? Well then how did we as a people come to accept that such ill-will and disdain for white people was acceptable? Oh, you want me to get off my high horse, right. Stop acting as if I just love everyone and have no problems with anyone. I’ve made my share of racist comments and have harbored hatred in my heart. Everyone sins. Everyone has horrible thoughts and feelings sometimes. But are we truly repentant when we say horrible things? Do we feel ashamed before God that we just thought what we did? Or do we feel justified in our hatred. Do we feel we have the “right” to tear down and speak ill of an entire race of people because of what “they” have done to “us”?
Black people all face a moment in our lives where we have to reconcile our feelings about the slavery, oppression, and other heinous acts committed against our people and everything it encompasses. Usually, one of two things will happen. We will come to a place where we forgive the perpetrators and their descendants who committed heinous acts against our ancestors, grandparents, and great-grandparents, thank God for deliverance, and make sure we honor the doors opened by those who fought, suffered, and died for our freedom and rights. Conversely, we will choose to nurse the anger, hatred, bitterness and disgust in a neat little self-justified package and somehow think it’s ok to separate that sin from the application of God’s Word. Which path might Jesus condemn and which might he praise? Which path are you on? What are you going to do about it now that it has been brought to your attention?
Written with Love,
XXXXX
