Dear Church, Together with you, we continue to be troubled by the events in our world regarding race and racism. Naturally, there are multiple voices we turn to in these times of uncertainty. For example, many of us turn to our favorite author or speakers. Some of us look to our news outlets, social media feeds or friends/family for direction. Though many of these are fine resources, as your pastors, we would encourage you (above all other resources), to let the Word of God lead you.
Even in our restlessness, our fears and our questions, God’s Word remains the same. Truly, the Word of God is alive and powerful!
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” — Hebrews 4:12
In light of the racial tensions in the world, we wanted to share some helpful verses from the Bible with you. Our prayer is that they help equip you as Believers.
Verses to Turn To
- “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8
- “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2
- “You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” — Matthew 5:14
- “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.” — Psalm 82:3
As a people who bear the name of Christ, I know we long to do what is right. We are to love mercy and walk with humility before the Lord. We are to share one another’s burdens, to uphold the rights of the oppressed. We are to be the light of the world.
But, even as that may be, when it comes to conversations of race, racism, and racial injustices (specifically within the black community) many of us can feel at a loss.
Where Do You Fit In?
- For some of you, this has already been an incredibly important ministry in your life.
- Perhaps you’re one of the dear brothers or sisters in our church who has experienced racism first hand?
- Maybe you have family members who are black and you have shared in their pain and in their stories?
- Possibly you’re a person who has simply spent time learning and becoming aware of racism within our country?
- For others, you’re someone who has a deep love for Jesus and has deep compassion for others?
- For others, this may be more of a political issue?
How do you begin to try and help?
It might feel embarrassing (or even shameful) to you that you want to help but you don’t know how. How can you be a light and uphold the rights of the oppressed? You’re hesitant to become more involved because it seems too confusing and you don’t know who you can trust.
This is where God’s Word becomes even more wonderful for us. God’s Word is clear that we are to:
- love our neighbor
- love our brother
- love the lost
- love the saved
- love the black person
- love the white person
- love those with the same opinion
- love those with different opinions
Above all, WE ARE TO LOVE! We are to seek justice, stand up for the oppressed and be the light of the world.
With this in mind, how can we become passionate for what we may not understand? How do we become passionate about protecting the unborn if we haven’t learned about them? Can we become passionate about the horror of human trafficking if we haven’t sought to understand even a small part of that horrific tragedy?
If we don’t seek to learn and understand, how can we stand for authentic change and racial equality?
Even for those of you who may feel as if there is nothing more to learn, in humility, allow us to simply ask you to try.
The compassion of Jesus Christ pours out of the Believer when we are more aware of what pain others have had to live through. We weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn.
When we set aside political rhetoric and social media wars and seek to simply obey the Word of Jesus (in a hurting and lost world) we can stop posting and start acting.
I love this,
“Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.” — Proverbs 18:15
Remembering that there are complexities to the spiritual problem of racism, and to guard against the warning Jesus gave in Matthew 24:12 (how the love of many will grow cold) we wanted to give you some additional resources to glean from. May we learn and act as God leads us.
Please see the suggested resources below.
We are praying for you. We are for you.
Standing on the Word of God,
Steele (on behalf of The Rock Pastors)
Suggested Resources:
Online Posts
We Need to Be Uncomfortable by Phillip Holmes
Steps to Reconciliation by Dr Tony Evans
Justice by The Bible Project
On Race and Love and Trying to Understand by Kevin DeYoung
6 Ways to Show Your Child God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity by Shai Linne
Five Steps for Racial Reconciliation on Sunday at 11 a.m. by D.A. Carson
Messages
Equipping the Next Generation to Embrace Gospel Diversity by Jackie Hill Perry (15 minutes)
Oneness Embraced: Racial Reconciliation The Kingdom and Justice by Dr Tony Evans (43 minutes)
Ethnic Gnosticism by Voddie Baucham (50 minutes)
Racial Reconiliation by Voddie Baucham (54 minutes)
Books for Children
God’s Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell (ages 4-8)
God Made Me and You: Celebrating God’s Design for Ethnic Diversity by Shai Linne (ages 8-12)
The Gospel in Color — For Kids by Jarvis J. Williams and Curtis A. Woods (ages 8+)
Books
Bloodlines: Race, Cross and the Christian by John Piper (Free PDF Book)
Under Our Skin: Getting Real about Race-and Getting Free from the Fears and Frustrations that Divide Us by Benjamin Watson
Oneness Embraced: Reconciliation, the Kingdom, and How We are Stronger Together by Dr Tony Evans
Note: The views and opinions expressed in these resources are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Rock Church or its elder/pastors.
Posted in A Word from the Pastor, Statements, Uncategorized