By now, you probably know the name Donald Sterling.
Donald Sterling is the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, until the last few years a moribund franchise of the National Basketball Association.
Last week in the middle of the first round of playoff games, a tape surfaced of Sterling making hugely offensive racist remarks. The NBA has done everything in its power to force Sterling to give up his ownership of the club. The NBA is an association, something similar to a homeowner’s association. That makes it difficult for the NBA to force the sale.
It looks like the NBA is handling the situation very well. What about us? What does Scripture say about racism?
As a child, I learned the missionary song about “red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.” I don’t know exactly the motivation of my church for teaching this song in a very segregated town in Alabama, but I do know the result.
It taught us the worth of people. It reminded us that God’s love is universal. We are all His children, and we all matter immensely to Him.
To me, the most powerful word for the inclusion of all people is the words of Paul in Galatians: “So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. . . . There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians–you are one in Christ” (Galatians 3:26, 28, NLT).
Years ago we started praying that our church would look like heaven. Our church has “spots and blemishes” still but we thank God He is working to make us one.
One day we will join with the multitudes around the throne, praising and glorifying our God. This will be “. . . 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” (Revelation 7:9).
At that time, our standing will only be based on what we have done with Jesus, the Son.
May God continue His work of making us one.
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6 Responses
Amen, Waylon!
Thanks Beth
You are amazing to the way you handle every current event in such great Biblical ways. Thanks
Thank you Celia. I do SO want to follow Scriptural teaching
Thanks Waylon. I grew up in segregated Alabama, where there were “colored” drinking fountains, and Af. Americans could not enter restaurants. I am SO THANKFUL for how far we have come. Satan always uses differences between people as a foothold for fear, prejudice, and hatred; whether between blacks and whites, men and women, Russians and Americans, Spainish speaking and English speaking, etc., ad nauseum. Our gracious and wonderful Lord breaks down the dividing walls between people, and destroys enmity. Praise His holy name forever!
Yes. Ephesians 2 says it all.