As followers of Christ, how should we approach the topic of race and ethnicity? Scripture offers profound insights that should shape our understanding and actions. Let's explore some key biblical principles:
We are all made in the image of God.
God created humanity in His own image. This foundational truth establishes the inherent dignity and value of every single person, regardless of their ethnicity. There is only one human race, and we all share this divine imprint.
Genesis 1:26-28 NLT [26] Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” [27] So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. [28] Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
We are all sinners, fallen in Adam.
Sin entered the world through one man, Adam, and consequently spread to all humanity.
Romans 5:12 NLT[ When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
This means that every person, irrespective of their ethnic background, is subject to God's judgment.
Romans 3:23 NLT [23] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Furthermore, the Bible reveals that racism, in its essence, stems from our sinful nature.
Ephesians 2:1-3 NLT [1] Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. [2] You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. [3] All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
Salvation in Christ is for all.
God calls all people everywhere to repentance, and the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ is available to everyone who believes, without distinction. Ethnicity is not a barrier to God's grace.
Acts of the Apostles 17:30-31 NLT [30] “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. [31] For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”
Romans 3:22-23 NLT 22] We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. [23] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
It’s clear that In Christ, we have a spiritual unity that goes beyond ethnicity.
Galatians 3:26-29 NLT [26] For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. [27] And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. [28] There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female – we are all one. As members of the body of Christ, we share a profound unity that brings together people from diverse backgrounds, showcasing God's radical grace. Our local churches should reflect this unity-in-diversity.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NLT [12] The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. [13] Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. [14] Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. [15] If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. [16] And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? [17] If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? [18] But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. [19] How strange a body would be if it had only one part! [20] Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. [21] The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” [22] In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. [23] And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, [24] while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. [25] This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. [26] If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. [27] All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
Ethnic diversity glorifies God.
In the New Testament book of Revelation there is a breathtaking vision of a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne, worshiping God. This reveals that ethnic differences are not merely obstacles to overcome but are expressions of God's multifaceted glory. We should celebrate this diversity within our churches, striving for unity, not uniformity. God will ultimately gather a people from every tribe and nation.
God's ultimate plan involves gathering people from every corner of the earth. In the end, ethnic differences will not divide us but will enrich our understanding of God's wisdom and glory.
Revelation 7:9-10 NLT [9] After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. [10] And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”
While we eagerly await that perfect unity, we must acknowledge that ethnic differences will continue to present challenges in this life. This provides us with an opportunity to show deliberate care, honor, and love across ethnic lines, recognizing the inherent value in every member of the body of Christ.
Embracing a biblical perspective on race and ethnicity calls us to recognize our shared humanity as image-bearers of God, acknowledge our common need for salvation, celebrate the unifying power of Christ, and intentionally extend love and understanding across cultural boundaries.
We are all made in the image of God.
God created humanity in His own image. This foundational truth establishes the inherent dignity and value of every single person, regardless of their ethnicity. There is only one human race, and we all share this divine imprint.
Genesis 1:26-28 NLT [26] Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” [27] So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. [28] Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
We are all sinners, fallen in Adam.
Sin entered the world through one man, Adam, and consequently spread to all humanity.
Romans 5:12 NLT[ When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
This means that every person, irrespective of their ethnic background, is subject to God's judgment.
Romans 3:23 NLT [23] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Furthermore, the Bible reveals that racism, in its essence, stems from our sinful nature.
Ephesians 2:1-3 NLT [1] Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. [2] You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. [3] All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
Salvation in Christ is for all.
God calls all people everywhere to repentance, and the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ is available to everyone who believes, without distinction. Ethnicity is not a barrier to God's grace.
Acts of the Apostles 17:30-31 NLT [30] “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. [31] For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”
Romans 3:22-23 NLT 22] We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. [23] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
It’s clear that In Christ, we have a spiritual unity that goes beyond ethnicity.
Galatians 3:26-29 NLT [26] For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. [27] And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. [28] There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female – we are all one. As members of the body of Christ, we share a profound unity that brings together people from diverse backgrounds, showcasing God's radical grace. Our local churches should reflect this unity-in-diversity.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NLT [12] The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. [13] Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. [14] Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. [15] If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. [16] And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? [17] If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? [18] But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. [19] How strange a body would be if it had only one part! [20] Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. [21] The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” [22] In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. [23] And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, [24] while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. [25] This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. [26] If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. [27] All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
Ethnic diversity glorifies God.
In the New Testament book of Revelation there is a breathtaking vision of a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne, worshiping God. This reveals that ethnic differences are not merely obstacles to overcome but are expressions of God's multifaceted glory. We should celebrate this diversity within our churches, striving for unity, not uniformity. God will ultimately gather a people from every tribe and nation.
God's ultimate plan involves gathering people from every corner of the earth. In the end, ethnic differences will not divide us but will enrich our understanding of God's wisdom and glory.
Revelation 7:9-10 NLT [9] After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. [10] And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”
While we eagerly await that perfect unity, we must acknowledge that ethnic differences will continue to present challenges in this life. This provides us with an opportunity to show deliberate care, honor, and love across ethnic lines, recognizing the inherent value in every member of the body of Christ.
Embracing a biblical perspective on race and ethnicity calls us to recognize our shared humanity as image-bearers of God, acknowledge our common need for salvation, celebrate the unifying power of Christ, and intentionally extend love and understanding across cultural boundaries.
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