BiblicalInsights.net

In the previous blog post, the Black Lives Matter organization was exposed with regard to its basic tenets.  This organization is secular in origin, anti-Christian in many of its beliefs and lawless in actions and tactics.  It has produced violence, fear and intimidation in order to bring about perceived change.  Is this the best solution?  Is this organization the only solution?  Of course not!  There is a better way to change the hearts of men.  The spiritual solution is based upon the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16-17).  Before we can consider the solution to racism, we must first define it and, then, look to the gospel of Christ for the solution.
What Is Racism?
Racism is hatred in one’s heart for members of another race solely on the basis of the color of the skin of the people who make up that race, or, a combination of racial characteristics of the people that are despised.   It is prejudice and discrimination that one race holds toward another race.  Often, one group of people (race) feels superior to another group of people (race) and treats them with disdain and/or contempt.  Racism is a sin because it violates the Royal Law.  James states, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well” (James 2:8).  If we fulfill the Royal Law, we will not show respect of persons.  That means that we will treat every person with fairness and justice.  We will love them which means that we will seek their highest good.  Jesus taught the Royal Law in Matthew 22:39.  He also taught that the first and greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37-38).  If we fear God and love Him, we will keep His commandments. Love for neighbor depends upon our loving God first and foremost in our lives.  The Black Lives Matter organization does not teach individuals to love God and is destined to fail in bringing about change in the hearts of men with regard to racism.  The Black Lives Matter organization does not teach men to fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13-14).  Since racism is a sin, the Black Lives Matter Organization does not have the remedy for this sin.  Only God does!  Hatred for another human being is a work of the flesh.  The apostle Paul lists seventeen sins in Galatians 5:19-21.  He states, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Hatred, along with all of the other sins mentioned in this passage of Scripture, will destroy peace and joy and will separate a person from God.
The Spiritual Solution To Racism
Since racism is a sin involving hatred, prejudice and respect of persons which violates the Royal Law given by the Lord Jesus Christ, it must be dealt with spiritually just like any other sin.  The gospel of Christ demands three things:  repentance, reconciliation to God and reformation of character.
The Call To Repentance
In Acts 17:30, Paul courageously called the people of Athens to repentance from idolatry and the sins associated with it.  He says, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.”  Repentance is a universal command given by God.  The call to repentance is an integral part of the gospel of Christ (Acts 2:38, 3:19).  Repentance involves turning away from sin and turning to God.  It is a determination in one’s heart to cease sinful attitudes and actions and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.  Repentance takes place in the hearts of people.  It is a human response to sin preceded by godly sorrow (II Cor. 7:10).  Sorrow for sin is generated in the human heart when we consider the enormous consequences of sin in our lives.  Sin leads to spiritual death and ultimate separation from God in everlasting punishment (Rom. 2:5-10; 6:23) .  Authentic conversion to Jesus Christ involves genuine repentance of sin.
Reconciliation To God
To be reconciled to God means that we become one with Him.  This spiritual union with Christ occurs when we obey the gospel of Jesus Christ from the heart (Rom. 6:16-18).  Only in Christ can we have freedom from sin!  The Black Lives Matter organization does not call people into covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.  Paul states, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28).  Notice the beauty of spiritual oneness that is in Christ Jesus.  Consider that one must be baptized (immersed) into Christ in order to enter the spiritual sphere where this oneness occurs.  When we are baptized into Christ, we are forgiven of our sins (Acts 2:38) and saved from the spiritual consequences of sin.  This change is a spiritual change involving a new status of sonship with God.  The Black Lives Matter organization does not and cannot offer this change.  This spiritual change places us into the kingdom of God where we glorify Him by emulating His Son–Jesus Christ.
Reformation of Life
When we are baptized into Christ, we put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).  To put on Christ means that we follow His teachings and His example.  We bear His name:  Christian.  We manifest His image to the world by conforming to His Will for our lives. The human mind and heart are truly transformed (changed) when we become His disciples.  We put off the old man of sin and put on the new man created in Christ Jesus unto good works.  “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24).  We stop lying and speak the truth.  We put away anger and wrath and replace them with kindness and tenderheartedness.  We stop stealing and work with our hands in honest employment.  We stop using corrupt communications and we speak words that will bless and edify (Eph. 4:24-32).  We truly become the children of light because we are committed to following the Light of the World (John 8:12).  This is the light that shines in the darkness and shows the pathway of righteousness to others.  This is the light that the world, which lies in darkness, needs so desperately now.  This is the solution to racism and any and every other sin.  The Black Lives Matter organization does not walk in the light as He is in the light.  This organization is in need of reformation itself.  Its members need to embrace the love of God shed abroad through Jesus Christ our Lord and repent of sin, be reconciled to God on the terms of the gospel of Christ and set out on a new course of life whereby they may glorify God.
The Answer to Racism
The answer to racism is authentic conversion to Jesus Christ upon the simple terms of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  There is hope for change in America and the world because Jesus Christ is the savior of the world and the hope of the world!