Most thinking people know that racism is wrong but strange to say; not many seem to know why. Even defining racism can get pretty tricky. For example: is racism something only white people can do? Do Asians practice racism? If the inclusion of only certain ethnic groups in an activity is inherently racist then would that include The Sons of Portugal back in my hometown of Danbury Connecticut? Since it is unlikely we can overcome a problem without knowing what it is; why not start with the God who never changes and His word that points both directly to our sin and clearly to His solution?

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:22

“There is only one race…the human race.” Rosa Parks

Racism actually breaks both the sixth and ninth commandments. “Thou shalt not murder.” (included by Jesus with anyone who is angry with his brother.) And – “Thou shall not bear false witness” because anyone speaking and acting hatefully is also believing and propagating a lie. God is no respecter of persons i. e. – He is more concerned about heart color than skin color!

God is not passive. He doesn’t lightly look at the death of George Floyd or any other innocent person. In fact God was so angry about sin that He sent Jesus Christ to the cross to suffer and pay the price with His own blood for our forgiveness. Without the cross there is no hope for any of us..

I draw hope from the story of Jesus and the woman caught in the act of adultery. It begins with a crowd of angry men dragging a woman into the public square and asking Jesus if He was okay with her being stoned according to the law. Jesus strange response has a lot to do with our situation today. He didn’t say a single word. Instead He stopped down and began to write with His finger in the dirt while the mob continued shouting. Then Jesus stood up and said, “Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone.” There was suddenly a silence among the men as His words found their mark. What would Jesus be saying today as He looks over America? What would He say about me and you? Maybe He is silently waiting for us to see our need and remember the love of His cross. Maybe He is praying and weeping until we come to Him with our sin and find that at Calvary enemies become brothers and sinners of every color are made true friends.