"The Horrors of Racism in America"

In light of the disgusting and terroristic events that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, as a Christ follower and leader in the church, I'm compelled to speak against this atrocity in our country! What has not changed is the systematic and pervasive nature of racism in America and the horrible consequences for the majority of people of color and other minorities. Racism has its evil roots in domination and provides the social rationale for degrading, debasing, and doing violence to people on the basis of skin color. Racism is both brutally overt as in the Charlottesville, Virginia incident as well as institutionally hidden! The scope of racism in this country is very pervasive and affects every area of our society. Racism is an evil system of oppression for a social purpose. In our country, the purpose of racism was to justify the evil act of slavery and the enormous economic advantages it afforded. Slaves were not and did not have to be treated with any human consideration whatsoever. Even in the founding document of this country, the so called "constitutional compromise" detailed and described every slave as only three-fifths of a person! Due to over 200 years of racism and at least 100 more of legal discrimination, America is still dealing with the evil legacy of racism. In biblical terms, racism is a perverse sin that cuts straight to the core of the gospel of Christ. In other words, racism negates the reason for which the Lord died, and the reconciling work of Calvary. The evil of racism denies the purpose of the church which is sanctioned by God to bring together in Christ Jew and Gentile! I understand that America may never truly recognize the extent of its racism, (it's woven in the fabric of this nation) but this does not and should not stop the church from speaking out and standing against this evil! The church is to reveal Christ to this world. As Christ followers, we must understand and embrace that God continues to be incarnate, not only in Christ, but also in the church! We understand that the incarnation of Christ can never happen again, but Christ Jesus is not only incarnate in heaven, He's also incarnate on the earth through His body, the church! In other words, we are the visible expression to this evil world of the Lord and Savior who's in heaven! Paul also reminds us that we as the church are called, "the pillar and support of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). The truth of God is not merely to occupy our minds, it's to affect our lives! The truth about God incarnate is life altering truth! We act as "the pillar and support of the truth" by living out that truth! As the world looks at the church, our lives are to undergird and uphold the truth concerning our God who was revealed in the flesh! Your move. Be encouraged!