By Melissa McLaughlin
Another gruesome and wicked act of racial injustice carried out in our land.
My heart dropped.
My stomach sickened.
My body heaved with grief.
How did we get here, Lord?
How can we bring justice, Lord?
How can we bring healing, Lord?
What is our response?
Stealing,
Killing,
Destroying?
Some have chosen this.
Silence,
Blame,
Shame?
Others have chosen this.
Abba Father, how do we bring Godly justice and healing in Christ?
Each person is created by God, made in His image, precious in His sight.
Would God desire some to be ashamed of the skin tone He designed?
Would God desire some to be despised because of the shades He chose?
Over the centuries, African American people have experienced heinous, evil treatment in this country at the hands of many white American oppressors. Sickening, hate-filled, evil.
How do we right this wrong with Christ’s justice, truth, grace and love?
Should those who have not mistreated others because of their darker skin be put in the same category as those who have? Based on… the lighter tone of their skin? Does that bring the justice of God and the healing in Christ?
As a response to this atrocious evil against African Americans, some Caucasian Americans now vehemently express shame at being white. Does this bring the justice of God and healing in Christ?
Does God now desire us to be ashamed if He created us with a light skin tone? Will that bring Godly justice and healing in Christ?
Recently, I witnessed a young white woman posting a video of herself covered in her own feces, in order to show the degradation of her skin color that she felt our culture demanded of her. Does this bring the justice of God and healing in Christ? Does this honor the God who created her?
We will never find God’s justice or healing through man-made efforts or human wisdom. We need to seek God’s Word and ask His Spirit of Truth to confront us where we are wrong, instruct us where we lacking and to heal us where we are broken.
Scripture Truth
1. To begin we know that mankind was created by God, made in His image.
Genesis 1:27 – So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Every person, male and female, bears the image of God and is precious in His sight. To disparage another person for the design which God has chosen for their frame, is to disparage God Himself. This is a grave sin.
2. God blessed ALL the nations of the world through Israel, as he brought our Messiah through this people group.
Genesis 22:18 – Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.
From the beginning, God’s plan was to save people from every nation. Every nation matters to God and every nation should matter to us, no matter the geographic location, no matter the physical features of that people group.
3. God loves the whole world, so much that He sent Jesus to die for our sins that we could be more than a mere part of His earthly creation, but we could be part of His eternal family in heaven. The whole world. To exclude or deride another person because of their God-made skin tone, is to hurt a person for whom Jesus died. Jesus loves each one that much. So should we.
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
4. God has gathered believers from every corner of the earth to join His heavenly family, representing the glory of all He has made.
Revelation 7:9-10 – After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
When we gather in heaven, part of the beauty there will be our reflection of the diversity of God’s grand design. Many people, worshiping with one voice before our Savior and God. Many people, one beautiful family, gathered at one table, for the wedding feast of the Lamb of God.
If God created, blessed, saved and gathered people from every nation, tribe, people and language to be part of His eternal family, as believers we should work to gather and reflect His family here on earth.
The world cannot do this. We need the indwelling Holy Spirit to teach us, convict us, fill us with compassion, truth, understanding and LOVE. We do not have enough love on our own. We need to abide in Christ in order to grow in the Fruit of the Spirit to love each other more, no matter our background or skin tone.
What Can We Do?
Clearly, God’s call is for justice, love and healing for all people. But hatred for others and self-hatred is so widespread. How do we, small as we are, just one person in the face of a tidal wave of evil, how do we bring forth God’s justice and healing in Christ? One by one.
1. Seek the Lord Jesus. Read His Word, the Bible, for it exposes us to ourselves. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you God’s truth about Christ, about yourself, about others and about the world. Only the Holy Spirit knows the truth about all that is happening around us. He can guide you in God’s ways.
2. Speak. Speak to your family about God’s truth regarding the people God has created using the scripture truths from above. If you hear others putting someone down or making them the butt of a joke because of their skin tone, speak out! Do not tolerate this. Period. Stand up for the downtrodden through your speech. Teach your children and those who are near you that God has made each person, black, brown, tan, white and every shade in between. By His design, we reflect His image and are precious to Him. So precious that Jesus died to save every single one who will accept Him as Savior and LORD.
3. Act. Demonstrate to a watching world what you believe about God’s precious people of all nations. You may feel led to participate in a peaceful protest or seminar on establishing cross-cultural connections in your community or church. More importantly, strive to work on building personal relationships as a demonstration of what we believe. Invite a friend or family of a different race to come to your house for dinner (or an outdoor picnic if still under quarantine.) Be intentional about including those of other races in your activities and family life. Go the extra mile in your personal life to reach out and heal this deep wound of humanity.
4. Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to change the hearts of those who are hurting others or disparaging themselves because of the color of their skin. Pray they would be drawn to Christ to receive Him as Savior and LORD, for only He can heal our sin-sick human hearts. Only then can people see themselves and others with the eyes of Jesus. Commit to pray daily about this issue. Commit to pray with a prayer partner about this issue. Pray about this issue in Bible study groups, at the dinner table, in prayer groups.
Whether your skin is black, brown, tan or white, you should not be ashamed of your skin tone. Nor should anyone ever hurt or diminish another person because of their shade of skin. You are uniquely designed by God and you bear His image. His artistry is awesome, the colors of His paintbrush endless. May we treasure our unique hues, shapes and sizes as a sign of His endless glory.
Psalm 139:13-14 – For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Additional Resources:
Racial Reconciliation by John Piper at Desiring God
A Message From My Heart By Dr. Tony Evans at Urban Alternative
When Everything Falls Apart: 7 Strategies to Get You Through By Melissa McLaughlin
I pray we all will remember God created us uniquely and wonderfully. He loves us. We need to show His love to everyone.
I join you in this prayer, Melissa. Each person is lovingly created by our Father of love. May the love of Christ fill our hearts to overflowing that more people would be drawn to Christ.
Isaiah 43:4″Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
http://1samuel120.com/2020/03/26/exodus-1414-the-lord-fights-for-you/
These are powerful verses. Thank you for sharing, Samuel. I read your blog post. I appreciate your candor and how easily we can all slip into bitterness toward those who have hurt us. Praise God for His love that filled you and helped you move forward in forgiveness and love.
Thanks, it nice to read your reply, you seem to know so much, I have only recently started .
Praying with you, Melissa! I’m so grateful that God is not surprised about anything that is happening, and is still on the throne. He cares about the hurting, fear, and confusion of ALL HIS CHILDREN! He loves each one. And He loves you too, Melissa! â¤ï¸
Thank you, dear Gail! How we need our own souls infused with the truth, justice, love and power of God to overcome this hatred in our country and build bridges, that bring others to Christ and bring us together as His children. He loves and died for each and every single one. He loves you, too, dear Gail. God bless you and your family.
Amen, Sister! I am blessed to be on this journey with you! <3
I love the Scripture truth you shared, especially that the Messiah who would come to save people from all nations would come from one nation, and that God loves us all. I also loved the poem and the questions for us to ponder just following the poem. Would God want us to be ashamed or despised because of our skin color? And thank you for giving us some action items. We need direction, especially when situations fall out of our realm of experience. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words of encouragement, Stephen. May God work mighty miracles through His people, as we humble ourselves before Him and reach out in the love of Christ to heal these deep wounds of hatred. God’s Word is clear. He is our Creator. The Creator of ALL. May we live our His Word, His plan, His love in Christ, through the power of His indwelling Spirit. Lord Jesus, help us love like you, no matter the skin tone. For that is the beauty of Your design upon us.
The real happiness lies in seeing the diversity blooms like a beautiful flower as this encourages uniqueness nd individual creativity. Diversity makes us feel this colorful world more profoundly. It always fills our heart with love nd excitement as everyone is unique nd has different thoughts and beliefs. It gives us a sense of interconnectedness nd shared joy.
Everyone nd everything in this universe is so unique that’s why we love others. Uniqueness is the manifestation of God. It tells us that we don’t belong to a certain color, body, mind, thoughts but we belong to the only source that created us and given us this life with different purposes, to gain different perspectives nd experiences about this beautiful life. He says to us to walk independently free from all the attachments nd desires nd those who can do that, he gives us his peace nd happiness.
The Lord God is the Creator of each one of us and we reflect His image, His glory and His grand design. May we treasure His imprint upon each one. May the sacrifice of Jesus, for the WHOLE WORLD anchor our vision of every precious person in our lives. Lord Jesus, help us love like you.
This is excellent, rational, well considered, and presented beautifully. Thank you for inserting this winsome message on racial harmony into the current discussion. This fact remains as the most important of our realities: “God loves the whole world, so much that He sent Jesus to die for our sins that we could be more than a mere part of His earthly creation, but we could be part of His eternal family in heaven. The whole world. To exclude or deride another person because of their God-made skin tone, is to hurt a person for whom Jesus died. Jesus loves each one that much. So should we.” Thank you for articulating this so well and presenting it in such a calm, loving, and understanding way. May God use your words as they have gone out into this firestorm of conflict.
Thank you, Melinda, for your kind words. How we weep for this racial injustice, violence and hurt inflicted on our precious brothers and sisters in this world. It is a daunting task to even attempt to capture this horrendous evil in words, for it spills over in a millions toxic ways. It is so big, that we often avoid the topic altogether, for we feel we can never do it justice to even try. I pray these small efforts of mine will help bring God’s truth, God’s justice, God’s healing and God’s hope to this hurting world. Lord Jesus, help us live out your love with the people we meet.
Good morning Melissa, Thank you for laying out next right things to do to be obedient to He who calls us His own. Lately, I am slow-moving, asking the Lord what is the next right thing? God is waiting for us to run to Him, seek His face, rather than use our own wisdom as you state plainly here. Thank you sister, Love, Julie
Good afternoon, Julie. Thank you for taking the time to read and offer your heart here. Your words are true. God is waiting for us to run to Him and seek His face. Only He can anchor our hearts, renew our weary souls and give us His truth and strength so we can offer the love of Jesus to a world that needs. These are deep soul wounds that only Jesus can heal. But He asks us to help bring this healing to others. May we live this out in the small part of the world where we walk. Lord Jesus, help us receive and remember your justice and your love, that we can bring Your heavenly balm to the people we touch.
Very timely and much needed. I love the ideas and scriptures that back them up. We must all search our hearts to make sure we have a heart of God towards all people. Thanks Melissa
The Lord bless you, Yvonne. God’s Word will always point us to the truth and grace we need to navigate the hatred that satan spreads among us. May we humble ourselves and yield to the searching of our own hearts by the piercing and cleansing of God’s Word and His Spirit. Lord Jesus, help us speak your justice, truth, love and healing to the people in our circle of life. May they receive the healing you bring to the nations through your blood.
Amen, Melissa!
Beautiful post, love your neighbor as yourself, we are all created in His image
Wonderful post! We do need an infusion of love in all that we do. The Holy Spirit guides and directs us in the path of peace. We are to show love and mercy and respect for all that God has created. He deemed that creation was good, and we are to honor that good.
Glory to God! Thank you, Linda. How we need the love of God. We surely don’t have enough love in the human realm, to heal the deep racial wounds of humanity. May we remember the face of Jesus as we look into the faces of every person we meet. Yes, God deemed His creation good. May we honor and respect every person as a precious part of His creation.