Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- January 18, 2014
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles’” (Acts 22:21)
Race divides. Inherently it needs reconciliation. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are expected to be on the forefront of racial reconciliation. Christ is colorblind. There is no preference between Jew and Gentile, black or white, yellow or brown. They are all precious in His sight. Yet every day, millions are disenfranchised or killed because of their cultural heritage and skin color. Where pride and ego drive the human race into different geographical and racial directions, Christ reunites. He is the racial reconciler.
The feet of Jesus are on level ground for all races. Sin is the only explanation for one race’s sense of superiority over another. It breaks the heart of God. Jesus went far out of His way to love a racial outcast in the Samaritan woman (John 4). He was compelled by the Holy Spirit to reach across class, cultural, and racial barriers.
In the same way and spirit, God is leading you to reach out to others different from you. He is calling on His disciples to be intentional in healing past hurts and serving current needs. Some will receive your sincere service, while others will question your motive. But when all is said and done, your part is to go and be a blessing. God’s part is to facilitate trust and healing. You probably do not consider yourself a racist. That is, you do not feel or act better than another human being just because of your race.
However, to be silent or not intentionally reach out to another culture is passive racism. It is subtle, but the same ill effects occur. The offended or disillusioned ones are still stuck in their inferior state of mind, economics, and education. It is the role of the church to bring down cultural barriers. We can model the way of racial reconciliation as Jesus did.
Consider a year-long, weekly, one-on-one study with someone of a different race. Learn about his or her culture, history, and hurts. Indeed, racial reconciliation happens one person at a time, and it happens relationally. Do not wait on someone to come to you. You go to that person. Yes, it is a little uncomfortable, and yes, there will be misunderstanding. But Jesus is the standard bearer and relational mediator.
Let the Bible be your foundational source of racial reconciliation. Start today on a cross-cultural mission. Is there someone at work or in your neighborhood? Invite the family into your home for a meal. Serve them every time you get a chance, and watch God work. Then the world will see—in Technicolor—that you are truly disciples of Christ because you love one another. Races will be reconciled, and God will be glorified. Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
Prayer: Why is Christ colorblind? Who can I build a relationship with that is of a different race?
Related Readings: Genesis 11:1–8; John 4:1–42; Romans 10:12; Galatians 2:14
Taken from the January 18th reading in Boyd’s 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God vol. 2” … http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a
Post/Tweet today: Pride and ego drive the human race into different directions, but Christ reunites. He is the racial reconciler. #racialreconciliation
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This message is so very true. I sit next to co-worker of another race that I communicate with a daily. She has a step-daughter who is partially death & blind and going through cancer treatments. She walks home everyday from work. One evening while walkng home, she was robbed. When she told me this my heart went out to her & immediately the Holy Spirit said to pick her up in the evening. She lives approximately 1 1/2 blocks from me & the gym that she goes to is about 8 blocks away. We met & made arrangements for her pickup. I could tell at first that she was a liitle uneasy. After all, she didn’t know me as the saying goes, “from adam”. I started doing this on Monday and by Thursday I could see that she was more comfortable with me. I thank God for using me & my automobile to be a blessing. I’m learning things about her and vice versa. What an awesome joy it is when you obey God.
Dear Jeanne~
Thank you for taking the time to respond to us about this devotional. I have to say, your story was a perfect example of what the devotional was all about. Your obedience to the urgings of the Holy Spirit is an awesome example to all of us~ and look what it has brought about ~ a new friendship! Thank you for sharing your story. What a blessing you are, not only to your new friend, but also to others around you.
May this new year bring you and yours joy and peace.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne