What skin color are you?

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s most popular quote is from one of his most popular speeches. In his speech, I Have a Dream, he said: “I look forward to a day when people are not judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” It was a powerful statement based on great biblical truth.

When God sent the prophet Samuel to Jesse to anoint one of his sons as king, Samuel, looking at Jesse’s eldest son, assumed that he was the one to anoint. But God said to Samuel: “… because the LORD does not see as man sees; because man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16: 7b

What if in this country we saw people, all people, as God sees them? Sadly, many in our culture today continue to make skin color the main and dominant problem.

I recently saw a video of comedian Sam Adams, taking a clearer look at skin color, and he made a great point. He told his audience that he is not black; Then he told them what his true color is and why. You can easily find that video on the internet. In the meantime, here are some of my thoughts on skin color, racism, privileged people, and identity politics.

Racism

On the serious side, we are living in turbulent times here in the United States, where the term “racist” seems to be at the forefront of almost every discussion on almost every topic. It is not only sad, but alarming that these days, if you disagree with certain people, apparently for whatever reason, they quickly label you as a racist.

No one can argue with the fact that there are people in this world who are prejudiced, sometimes very extreme prejudices, against other people who look or act differently from them. This is not going to change. We all inherit a sinful nature after the Fall, recorded in Genesis 3. And so there have been, there are and always will be those who show disdain or worse towards other people.

I have read several articles, and one recently by Ken Ham, titled Are There Really Different Breeds? He pointed out several things that I have believed in for a long time. It is a fairly long article, but it is worth reading. 1

There is only one race

Regardless of culture, geographic location, or skin color, we are all human beings. We are all descendants of Adam. The Bible makes this very clear in Acts 17:26: “And he made all the nations of men of one blood so that they might dwell on all the face of the earth, and he fixed the times before appointed, and the limits of their habitation”;

The word “men” in that verse is the Greek word, anthrÅ pos. It means human beings; All human beings. According to God’s Word, we are all related by blood. Regardless of culture, geographic location, or skin color, there is only one race, the human race.

One can take the time to do honest research on “racism.” The origins of what we now call “race” began in the mid-19th century. There are many scientific studies and related articles that debunk much of what many believe and promote as racism.

The United States is NOT “systemically racist”

I totally disagree with the highly promoted notion that the United States of America is a “systematically racist” country. Systemic media predominate. Those who promote this say that the entire United States has been and continues to be today, predominantly against human beings whom they label as “black people.”

As this country grew and evolved, people from different cultures, geographic locations, and various skin colors arrived and faced tough times. Those labeled “black people” suffered and endured more than any other group of people. But our country has made great progress.

We no longer live in the 1860s. We no longer live in the 1960s.

We elected a man, labeled “black,” for the highest office in the country; Not one, but two! Add to what there are today, Senators and Representatives from the United States, as well as Senators and State Representatives; there are governors, mayors, councilors, and judges at all levels, including the Supreme Court. And what about “black” billionaires, millionaires, revered sports figures, business owners large and small, teachers, doctors – literally all the steps and stations of life? And we must include all contributions made to the arts, including literature, music, and film. And is this country systematically racist? Not ..

Are there some people in this country who are prejudiced against other human beings? Undoubtedly. Are they the majority? Far from there. But there are those who today push a lot for people to believe that if you have a much lighter skin color, you are a racist, whether you know it or not. If you do not agree, it is because you are denying it and you are still racist.

There are some people who are prejudiced against other human beings for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to language or accents, lifestyle, beliefs, and yes, skin color. Human nature is far from perfect. But to say that those with lighter skin color are all racists, is the same prejudice in reverse. And we are told over and over again that those with the lightest skin color have more privilege in society than people of color.

When it comes to privilege, why do those with seemingly intellectual privileges become surgeons and scientists? Is that fair to those who do not possess the same intelligence? What about those with sports privileges? Is it fair that they can play major league sports and earn millions while others cannot? And what about those with great voice privilege who end up with lucrative recording contracts? Is that fair to the rest of us?

Certainly, some people have more benefits than others for a variety of reasons. Perhaps a better question would be: “What about those who choose to work hard, overcome obstacles or disadvantages that they face in order to be successful?” Is that fair to those who don’t?

The really privileged people

As I mentioned earlier, God’s Word is clear: There is only one race, the human race. In the Old Testament, God greatly favored a certain group of people, the descendants of Abraham. As such, they were much more privileged than the rest of the people during those days. When they followed God’s words, He protected and cared for them.

And when the time came, God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. And Jesus Christ accomplished everything necessary to redeem humanity. Since then, God lovingly offers an invitation to “everyone.” And that invitation comes with a tremendous privilege, a true privilege.

“Because God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.” John 3:16

God loved the world so much. It does not say, white people, tall people, rich people, etc., it says, “the world”, all people. The invitation is for “whoever”, anyone and everyone in the entire human race. Those who accept the invitation by confessing the Lord Jesus and believing in their hearts that God raised him from the dead are saved! They are born again; they get eternal life. And by doing that, they become the most privileged people on the planet!

Not all people on earth are children of God; only those who are born again. The Bible says that those who are born again are children of God. To think that Almighty God could literally be your Father! Now we are talking about a privilege!

The New Testament reveals and details the tremendous privilege that God’s children have, including gaining eternal life, receiving God’s spirit within them, accessing the Father through the spirit, all offenses forgiven, justified in God’s eyes. , no longer under the Law, not guilty verdict, a guarantee to meet Jesus Christ in the clouds when he returns, and many more precious and precious promises.

Talk about privilege! Born again Christians are the most privileged people on the face of this earth. And as such, we are delighted to invite others to the party!

Identity policy

For those who have been born again, when it comes to identity politics, there is absolutely no place for any of that with the children of God, regardless of skin color, nationality, social position, or any other category.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, because you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

The Bible teaches that those who are born again are all part of One Body, and each member is important and necessary, with their different outfits and abilities to contribute so that we can serve one another. And the head of this One Body is Christ.

The born again can discover from the Bible all the rights, privileges and abilities that they have as children of God, and take advantage of them or not. They can choose to trust and believe in God to help them in their daily life. Or they may choose to be a victim, finding a reason why their life is so difficult, while others succeed. Those who choose to trust and believe in God will be blessed.

Meanwhile, in our country, shouldn’t Christians demonstrate God’s love for all people? If God loves all people, shouldn’t we do the same? Shouldn’t we reject those who seek to divide us by promoting identity politics and instead see each person as an American, with the freedom and opportunities that this great country affords them? And shouldn’t we lovingly promote godly principles instead of succumbing to the secular culture that seems to be gaining more ground by the day?

Until we stop looking at skin color, unique talents and abilities, position in life, and everything else, and do what God does, let’s not look at outward appearance, but at heart, we’re going to have trouble and division. in our heart. country. We could start by teaching our children not to look at the color of someone’s skin, but at the content of their character.

1. https://answersingenesis.org/racism/are-there-really-different-races/