PASTOR’S CORNER – September 2020
Let’s Talk About Race!
In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve – the first members of the human race. Nations, ethnicities and racial groups did not yet exist. “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth…Acts 17:26” Adam and Eve are the progenitors of all humans.
When God called Abram, the society in which he lived was pagan – the Human Race had forgotten God (…”This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. Joshua 24:2). God renamed Abram Abraham (Father of Israel and many nations) through whom He would establish the chosen nation of Israel. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you Genesis 12:2–3”.
God’s intent was for Israel to be a distinct people pointing others to Him – the Jew first and then the Gentile and His promised provision of a Redeemer, Messiah, and Savior. (Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly (“We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the LORD has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” Acts 13:46–47)
God’s Word is clear. Ethnicity/race, gender, nationality, socio/economic status doesn’t matter to Him. He is not a respecter of persons but calls whosoever:
- “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” Exodus 23:3
- “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
- “For God shows no partiality”. Romans 2:11
In James 2:1, God tells us to do the same “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism”); and James 2:9 says: But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
Today, most people associate with and relate to people like themselves and with whom they have something in common whether it be race/ethnicity, social/economic standing or religious preference. God; however, is unlike man. He does not change. He does not discriminate and His plan is still designed for all humanity!
Let’s talk about Race: If we examined our DNA, the majority of us (as those listed) would be of mixed ancestry!
Barack Obama’s ancestry: Kenyan, English, Scots-Irish, Welsh, German, and Swiss. He identifies as African American. His wife Michelle is African American with English, Scottish and Irish routes.
Joseph Biden’s ancestry is Irish, English and German. His wife is Jill is of Italian, German, English, Scottish, Dutch, French and German
Donald trump’s ancestry is German and Scottish. He married three times: Czechoslovakian, American and Slovenian.
Mike Pence’s ancestry is Irish, German, English. His wife Karen is English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and Swedish
`Kamala Harris is Asian Indian and African Jamaican heritage. Her parents raised her and her sister as Black Americans. Since her ancestors did not share the African American experience through slavery, she identifies as a Black woman. Her husband Douglas Emhoff is of Austrian/Russian Jewish heritage.
None are 100% anything and yet, all descend from Adam and Eve – out of Africa!
Jesus Christ, the Son of Jehovah God, (human kinds Savior). His mother Mary was Jewish through the Davidic Line of Judah, and also of Canaanite, Moabite, and Hittite ancestry – all gentiles.
God’s love transcends all barriers, ethnic, racial and cultural. He is all inclusive!
“Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another…. Malachi 2:10
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3:11
“That ye love one another, as I have loved you” John 15:12
God first: “We must obey God rather than human beings! Acts 5:.29. We must consider – carefully the ruler of the USA; and above all, have allegiance to the Ruler of our hereafter. When you vote – and do vote, consider the Word of God in your selection: “Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers…..Exodus 18:21.
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…Hebrews 12:1..2..
