Technically, there is only one race—the human race. Practically, what we call races are ethnic or people groups, and the human race is filled with multiple ethnic groups with language variations, different customs and unique cultures.
In my travels to many other lands, I have been amazed at how certain ethnic groups are despised in some countries but in different places can be found perched on the cultural top, despising others. The problem in all of this is sin. The issue is pride.
The only solution to racism is found in Jesus Christ. When someone places faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit places that one in Christ, a new position in the spiritual realm but one just as real as if it was in the physical realm. The reason God can give a new Christian this new position is because the new believer in Jesus receives a new human spirit that is created with the divine nature (Eph. 4:24). This act makes the believer part of a new race, a heavenly race, and this heavenly race living out the divine nature rejects racism.
According to 1 John 3:9, the new divine nature consists of “God’s seed” (in the Greek, God’s sperma). Something of the nature of God is implanted in the new believer. Jesus as the last Adam took the sins of the human race to the cross (1 Cor. 15:45; cf. 15:3), and Jesus as the second man began a new race (1 Cor. 15:47).
This new race consists of those who have believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Each believer becomes a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17). This creative act of God on their behalf makes them a “new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24). This makes for a whole new realm, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all” (Col. 3:10-11).
Do you see it? This new man, the regenerated spirit of believers, is in a different realm, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. This is the only place where racism cannot exist. No one is looked down on. Not the Jews and not non-Jews. Not anyone. In fact, not men or women for in this realm “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).
The only real cure for racism is in Christ.
John Van Gelderen
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Thanks for these thoughts John. I would like to add, it is time for God’s people to be transparent about their own behavior on this issue. We have not “loved our neighbor as ourselves.”
I’m sure you’re right on this, Rod.
Good point, Rod. I believe you and your brother were at PBBC-right? Sad, how there was so much disunity and lack of love amongst faculty, staff and students. No wonder they have closed and so many other schools.
Yes Peter my brother and I were both at PBBC. I was there from ’78 to ’82. He came the next fall and was there one year. It was very sad when PBBC closed.
So true Brother!
Racism is a pride issue that can only be solved when each esteems others better than themselves. Humility doesn’t pretend that pride doesn’t exist, however pride must be rooted out with all malice.
Keep preaching truth.
Thanks Doug, humility is vital.
When I consider my many years at Straitgate Church in Mpls, I realize that along with LOVE, there needs to be a Biblical working plan to reach people in the inner city.Sincerity is simply not enough.
What are our expectations this side of heaven? I’m not at all advocating it, but it seems there will be always be to some degree, racism, this side of heaven. Racism is a word used when describing sin between two different races. However, isn’t it the same sin when it occurs between the same race? It’s just not called racism then. Isn’t it simply at least one of the Ten Commandments? Our hope is in Jesus, but in the meantime, we are to do the best we can here on earth, even with all the road blocks of all of… Read more »
Hi John,
I appreciate the article. I’d like to do more study of who/what John was referring to when he used the word sperma. Do you have any things you’ve written on it or resources that where helpful in you coming to that conclusion. You can email me at huntmanstation20@gmail.com if you have time! Thanks!