the only cure for racism | guest post |

| GUEST POST |
The following are words from my in-real-life friend, JaQuinn. We’ve known each other for years and talk together about the hard issues of life. She’s a theologian at heart, a lover of God, a mom to two precious babies (that I love to squeeze), and wife to her Foxy husband (their last name is Fox so I can say that). When the mess happened in Charlottesville, I texted JaQuinn, “I think you should guest post on my blog about Charlottesville.” She said yes. So here are her gospel-centric words.

by JaQuinn Fox

Last Sunday morning I walked into church still foggy from the noise of the night before. Photos, articles, videos, and opinions of the events that took place in Charlottesville, VA circulated in my mind. Smiling politely to the door greeters and friends, I angrily remembered the photos of white men holding Nazi flags and dressed in Ku Klux Klan gear in protest.

Anger felt healthy.

When I first saw the photos, my emotions lacked response. It was a numb feeling of “here we go again” as I anticipated the division that would quickly follow. Then disappointment when I was correct in my expectations, while many of my brothers and sisters in Christ sat idly by — seeming to align themselves with those who were carrying torches in the streets shouting “You are not welcome here!” The silence ignored the hatred being celebrated.

Closing our eyes as a way to not see sin does not make it go away. Only God through the sacrifice of Christ makes sin go away.

 

 

I’m thankful for men like Albert Mohler who did not miss it. “Racial superiority in any form, and white superiority as the central issue of our concern, is heresy. The separation of human beings into ranks of superiority and inferiority differentiated by skin color is a direct assault upon the doctrine of Creation and an insult to the imago Dei — the image of God which every human being is made.” He points our eyes back to our Creator God as foundation.

Racism. Exists. Today. And racism is sin. It’s a direct assault upon the gospel. I am slow to use the “R” word. It’s thrown around so freely that we have forgotten what it means. But there’s no denying that hatred based on skin tone is as real today as it has ever been (obvious after recent demonstrations).

From any direction — and it absolutely comes from every side — violence and hatred has not improved the human heart. Selfishness, hatred, and pride are our natures (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 1-2). Contrary to popular belief: we were born this way. Maybe not born racists, but definitely hateful lovers of self.

So what do we do? What’s the cure to the sin of racism?

The gospel. Because we’re all a part of the human race in need of a Savior.

The gospel is the beautiful message of how our faithful, gracious, merciful God sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins — the sins of the human race. He is the only one who can turn a heart of stone into a heart of flesh — a heart of hate into a heart of love. So…be brave. Be courageous. Do not be afraid of what others will say when you call sin what it is. Without knowledge of need, how do we call others to repentance? How do we remember that we are in just as much need?

Share the gospel. Our God is just. All sin must be paid for. Therefore in unprecedented and perfect mercy and grace, He put His wrath on Christ at the cross instead of each one of us. Each one of us. Tell the good news of Christ! We are all in need (Romans 3:23).

If you find yourself hoping that He will not be merciful to those you hate, I urge you to confess your sin and pray for a heart like His. We justify our own hatred when we say, “Lord, forgive our sins but not theirs.” That doesn’t make us better, but the same.

Talk to someone who doesn’t look like you. Love an image bearer with lighter or darker skin than you. Ask hard questions. Confess the sin of indifference or hatred. Show unbelievers what love looks like across the boundaries of skin color. It begins with us in the church.

I walked into church annoyed and angry — with the racists, the liberals, the conservatives. Then during service I sang along with these words, “He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor. Our sins they are many, His mercy is more.”

That’s about me. And you. And them.

Please join me in praying for repentance and salvation for those filled with hate. Pray the Lord would intervene. Let’s all set our eyes on and come humbly before our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
And uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
And sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
And my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth will declare your praise.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
You will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
Psalm 51:12-17