Black Lives DO Matter

I hated racism before it was “cool”.

Growing up in the deep south where prejudice and division between black and white runs deep, my parents did their utmost to teach me that we are all created equal before God. They taught me that it was important to love everyone the same. They didn’t care the color of my friends, neighborhood playmates, or future husband. They did their best to instill in me a respect for every person regardless of their color. And they had to be purposeful when it came to racism because they couldn’t hide me from the reality of it.

I saw racism as clear as the white hand in front of my face more times than I could possible count or recount to you here. And I hated it. I hated it. It frustrated me and made no sense to me. I knew we were all made in the image of God and I fought hard against my culture that was telling me there was some sort of difference.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:27

“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place…” – Acts 17:26

I tried not to assume that I was treated any certain way because of my color and I tried not to treat others as such. I spoke out boldly on the topic and didn’t care what anyone thought. I chided myself if I ever felt my thoughts wandered in a racist direction because I knew from a Biblical worldview, there was no room for it.

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” – Acts 10:34-35

Yes, this blog will very obviously be coming from a follower of Christ, because I know no other way to look at this topic and make any sense of it. You should know that now.

So here’s the thing. Ask me at any other point in my life I would have told you without a doubt, “Yes, racism has improved but is indeed still very real. No, I am not a racist and more than that, I hate the very idea of it.”

That was before.

That was all back before the idea of fighting racism became what it is today. That was all back before the whole issue of racism got high jacked by those who would use the idea of it for evil rather than for good. That was back before the political agenda of “fixing racism” was actually a facade that would only lead to more. That was before George Floyd, before BLM (which, as an organization, no Christian should be able to condone or support, as it goes directly against the Word of God. Simply check out the core beliefs on their website for more info…but that ‘s a whole other blog). That was before racism was on the front page of every paper, headline of every news segment, and top post on social media.

But now, that is our reality. That is what our world has become. But, has it improved any racism that still resides in our nation? No. No, not really. How do I know? Let me tell you.

Remember how I described myself back at the beginning? I’m not exaggerating. That was me. But, let me be honest with you for a second and let you know where all this has landed me.

I’ve stopped speaking out. I’ve become much quieter and more reserved on the topic of racism because I cannot biblically stand with BLM or the liberal agenda that is so wickedly abusing this topic . If I speak on it, I fear seeming as though I support this, when I certainly don’t. So I tend to say less.

I see color. I find myself analyzing a black person’s interaction with me and wonder if they are treating me a certain way because I’m white and the tensions are currently so high.

I see color. I find myself analyzing my interactions with black people and wonder if I am treating them a certain way because they are black and the tensions are currently so high.

Rather than defeating sinful, racist tendencies with scripture, (For God shows no partiality. Rom 2:11) I wonder if deep down, maybe I’m just really a racist? Maybe I don’t really care. Maybe I think I’m better? Since everyone is racist these days… right?

If someone mentions racism, I cringe or sigh because I am so incredibly exhausted of the constant question of motive.

I find myself saying so much more, “they” this, or “they” that.

Are you horrified yet? Because I am. I’m horrified with myself.

When I act this way, I’m falling into the agenda I so badly despise. I believe that the agenda of those who care nothing for the Word of God, is to make people hate it as well, and even more so, hate or fear each other. I believe there are some who would drive this country as far from Christian ideals and God himself as possible, and dividing us by color and culture, which goes STRONGLY against gospel principles, is the best way to accomplish this.

Causing us to in any way forget or question that:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28

…this is the quickest way to divide mankind, particularly followers of Christ. Racism has ALWAYS been an issue, Jew and Greek in that time and culture, black and white and anyone in-between in this time and culture.

So as much as I’ve been avoiding this topic, I want to be clear now:

I believe racism has improved in leaps and bounds since the days of slavery, though some would have you believe that it has not, simply to keep us all down and divided, which helps no one.

I believe racism still exists. I don’t believe it will ever fully be erased as it has always existed because of a world filled with sinful people. But as with every other sinful battle, we, as christians, must stand against such injustice, standing firmly on the Word of God, and never allow a political agenda which abuses it, to make us silent.

Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. -Jeremiah 22:3

Because it is closely related I want to say, I believe you can hate racism AND support your local police. I want to be clear that my hatred for racism does not invoke hatred for our police or their authority. I believe that there are bad cops who abuse their authority as with any occupation. I’m not saying that there shouldn’t be any kind of reform. But our police are necessary and needful and, generally speaking, more helpful than they are ever given credit for. God gave us authority and it’s important to respect it.

“Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” (Romans 13:2)

But largely, I want to say that our current climate has not overcome any racism in me but rather it has made it a harder battle to fight. But fight it we must. Fight it we will. We must never allow any sinful leaders or political agendas to cause us to be divided by the color of our skin. Christ died so that would not be:

“…so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” – Romans 12:5

Just as for any reason, if we see someone oppressed because of the color of their skin, forget political agendas, forget PC culture, forget BLM, remember the word of God. Remember that this life is short and this world is passing, remember that one day, we will stand together, perfectly united, no matter our color:

“”After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” – Revelation 7:9

In short: I feel I’ve babbled a bit, but I have so many feeling and thoughts. So, no more silence. No more buying into agendas unawares. No more fearing what political party we may be associated with. No more overlooking unjust oppression. No more mincing words because of our current climate. Racism of any kind is as wrong as ever. Color of every kind is as beautiful as ever. And every single person needs Christ. So, let’s stand against injustice, (while respecting the authorities placed over us), be Christ and bring the gospel to a world oppressed by every kind of sin, and be thankful for and never afraid of our beautifully different shades in the midst of it all. So, simply for the sake of the argument, I want to say that I truly believe, black lives DO matter. They always have and they always will.