Racial Violence in America -3 Responses the Church Must Make

What’s possibly more disturbing than the recent upsurge of interracial violence on American streets?

It’s the apathetic response of churches and believers. By apathetic I mean the lack of quick, clear, Biblically informed responses to shootings that have taken both black and white lives recently.

Worse than apathetic are those who call themselves Christians and yet spend their time blaming others for the violence. Complaining about the state of affairs in one group or another and generalizing an entire category of people based upon the vile and unjust actions of just a few.

How should we respond?

This is not the time for the church to remain silent nor is it the time for us to point fingers or shift blame.

We also need to be careful to avoid needless arguments about whether it’s #Blacklivesmatter, #Bluelivesmatter or #Alllivesmatter.

Each statement is true and has it’s place. Recent events have shown us that unfortunately some lives are less valued than others by certain individuals.

Here are three ways I believe the Church ought to be responding to racial violence.

1. Offer comfort

Before we run and begin spouting off our answers to those touched by racial violence we must remember that our God is a God of comfort. The recent interracial shootings significantly impacted the lives and hearts of millions of Americans. Some are angered, some or grieved.

We must understand that even if the killings happened hundreds of miles away, it can often feel like it was next door thanks to the ever-present always repeating news media.

Millions are hurting and hurting people aren’t usually looking for answers, they’re looking for comfort.

The church is uniquely positioned to offer comfort into the lives of people who it may not have had the chance to connect with before.

Consider these words that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah! He is our merciful Father and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our suffering, so that we may be able to comfort others in all their suffering, as we ourselves are being comforted by God. For as the Messiah’s sufferings overflow into us, so also our comfort overflows through the Messiah. -2Co 1:3-5

We have a Messiah who cares for us in our suffering.

We have a Messiah who understands our suffering because he too suffered.

We have a Messiah who specifically prepared us to minister to others in their suffering.

2. Speak out against evil

The church needs to realize that the issue of racial tensions is not a new one. It has existed for thousands of years and it was certainly prevalent when the church was established 2000 years ago.

Thankfully the Bible gives us the solution and clear instruction regarding this.

In him there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free person. Instead, the Messiah is all and in all.  -Col 3:11

Jesus Christ is the ultimate solution to racism and the violence it brings.

But now, in union with the Messiah Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. For it is he who is our peace. Through his mortality he made both groups one by tearing down the wall of hostility that divided them. -Eph 2:13-14

How should we relate to other races and groups?

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive. -Col 3:12-13

Anything less than compassion, kindness, humility, etc… towards another race or group of people we must identify as sin and unworthy of the calling of Jesus Christ in whom all races and nationalities are brought together as one.

Not only does the Bible condemn racism but it also condemns other forms of preferential treatment or negative treatment based upon a person’s station in society.

My brothers, do not let your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus, the Messiah, be tainted by favoritism. Suppose a man wearing gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in. If you give special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Please take this seat,” but you say to the poor man, “Stand over there” or “Sit on the floor at my feet,” then you will have made false distinctions among yourselves and will have judged from evil motives, will you not? -Jas 2:1-4

James clearly identifies this type of treatment as sin!

But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and will be convicted by the Law as violators. –Jas 2:9

Let’s not be afraid to call racism and preferential treatment sin! Let the church make a clear statement that it is a refuge for all nations!

3. Give hope

Legislative committees, policy producers, and Washington think tanks will spend much of the next few years carefully crafting regulations and statutes to help solve the problem of racial violence. They’ll probably spend millions if not billions on this single task.

It’s possible that they could produce laws that will help curb the problem but they will never solve it!

Why?

Racism is more than just a legislative problem, it’s a heart problem!

Rules, laws, and more judicial process offer little hope for the heart. We must offer hope that the heart can hold onto.

We must offer them the hope of a New Covenant of grace written upon the tablets of our heart (2 Cor 2:3). Law could never give us the hope that Jesus can. In regards to this Paul wrote:

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we speak very boldly. -2Co 3:12

We must speak lovingly yet boldly with every confidence that our hope is sure and with every desire to see others take hold of that hope.

Tragic opportunity

When difficult times like this arise in any nation it can be easy to become pessimistic about the future, overwhelmed by the onslaught of negative news, and in general depressed about the future of the country.

The Christian should not think this way. Historically it is precisely these tragic times that give opportunity for the gospel. Wherever there is tragedy and brokenness there will be people searching for answers and searching for God.

This is the Church’s time! May she be ready with comfort, words of truth, and real hope found only in Jesus Christ!

Question: How do you think the church should respond to racial violence?