Gaining Freedom From Racism Begins In The Home
Did you know that racism is a learned behavior in the home? Are you married? What conversations are you having with your spouse? Are you prejudice towards other races? Do you have children? Did you know that you can inadvertently pass those negative and ignorant behaviors on to your children? Research shows that children are products of their environment and they tend to perpetuate those nasty behaviors, which includes treating other ethnic groups unfairly.
The conversation about race, racism, and police brutality has come to the forefront once again. The United States and the rest of world are in uproar, and rightfully so. People are protesting, cites are now under curfew to maintain peace. Why, because of what happened to George Floyd. The video of that one police officer’s knee pressing against his neck as he laid dying. Floyd can be heard saying, “I can’t breathe,” while calling for his mother. Three other officers just stood there, as if George Floyd was not another human being.
The video has many wondering, what conversations were happening in those homes. I am convinced that gaining freedom from racism begins within the home. However, to truly see change in the home means that change will have to come to the hearts of the individuals in that home. Thankfully, God specializes in changing heart as recorded in Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
Our heart and prayers go out to the families who are mourning the loss of their loved one, as many people are asking, “Would George Floyd be dead, if he were white? What’s interesting about this question, is that, even many white people are now asking the same question.
There are many other issues on the forefront. What about the protesting? What about the violence, looting or injury to police officers? What about standing for injustices? What about America’s dark history? These questions and more must be a conversation within the home if anyone desire to gain freedom from racism.
An understanding of the history about America can help in the healing process of the present. America has a dark past. A past built on slavery and racism. A past where it mattered if you were black or white. A past where freedom only meant freedom for some, not all. A past where it reveals that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer 17:9). A past that quickly comes back to the forefront when incidents like that of George Floyd continues to happen.
The pain, hurt and anger are real. Many today are still experiencing the effects of what happened in the past. I’m not just talking about the oppressed (descendants of slavery and racism), I’m also talking about the oppressors (the descendants of slave owners). Both need healing, both need forgiveness, both need to repent. I believe healing begins with a true relationship with Jesus Christ and an active movement to change the systems that were set in place in the past.
Gaining freedom from racism begins by understanding and then teaching to our children about what God has to say about racism.
The first thing we need to understand and them teach to our children is the “one blood” concept. Acts 17:26 states, “He [God] has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.” ONE BLOOD tells us that there is only one race—the human race. Caucasians, Africans, Asians, Indians, Arabs, and Jews are not different races. They are different ethnicities of the human race. The actual color of blood, regardless of ethnicity, solidifies the truth that we are one race. In addition, all human beings are equally created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27).
The second thing we need to understand is that God does not show partiality or favoritism and neither should we (Romans 2:11). When people show partiality or prejudice against other ethnic groups, those people become judges with evil thoughts. (James 2:4).
James 2:9 states, “but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” Discrimination is sin. Discrimination is sin. Discrimination is sin. This must be taught in all homes if we desire freedom from racism. The Rx for discrimination is love.
It is important to point out the difference between the terms prejudice and racism, as they are not interchangeable concepts. While all racists are prejudiced, not all prejudices are racist. Prejudice is an opinion or judgment that disregards the fact. You might have a prejudice against modern art and not be a racist. Racism, on the other hand, is prejudice against a particular group of people based on perceived differences, sometimes taken to the extreme. These discussions must be had in the home if you desire to gain freedom.
Here are the steps on how to gain freedom from racism in your home
- Both the oppressed and the oppressor need to be healed delivered and set free. If you have been a victim of racism, prejudice, and discrimination, you need to forgive. Ephesians 4:32 declares, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Racists may not deserve your forgiveness, but we deserved God’s forgiveness far less.
- Those who practice racism, prejudice, and discrimination need to repent. It is also sad to note here that racism and discrimination also occur in the same ethnic groups. This can be stopped when you, “Present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 6:13). REPENTANCE comes just before you humble your heart and receive Jesus as Lord and savior.
Those who are protesting for justice also need to humble their hearts. Those who are in high positions that can effect systemic change, also need to humble their heart.
To humble your heart and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and savior you need to understand the following-
- You must recognize that you are a sinner (Rom 3:23).
Are you a sinner? Yes or No?
- The second thing you need to understand is that because we all have sinned, there is a penalty and price to pay for our sin (Rom 6:23).
Do you understand that the penalty for your sin is hell? Yes or No?
Do you want forgiveness for your sins? Yes or No?
- The third thing you need to know is that Jesus paid the penalty for all your sins on the cross for you (Romans 5:8).
Do you believe Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins? Yes or No?
- The fourth thing you need to know is, “All who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Are you ready and willing to humble your heart by calling on the name of the Lord? Yes or No?
If you answered YES to all questions, then say this prayer from your heart to Jesus.
Heavenly Father, I have sinned against you. I want forgiveness for all my sins. I repent of my sins. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose again. Father, I give you my life to do with as you wish. I want Jesus Christ to come into my life and into my heart. This I ask in Jesus name. Amen.
Congratulations, you are now connected to God through Jesus Christ.
Please contact me if this is the first time you have truly accepted Christ as your personal Savior. I would like to send you some additional information. In the meantime, find yourself a good Bible believing, teaching church so you can start to grow in your relationship with God.
You have just experienced salvation, and God himself have given you a new heart. This is the only way to truly gain freedom from racism.
May Galatians 3:28 be completely realized, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.”
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