The ethnic diversity in the American church is both an evidence of the gospel’s power and a measurement of Christian obedience to the Great Commission. Moving forward, authentic and ongoing dialogues between all ethnicities present in local churches will platform how colorblindness has been forsaken.
Racial Progress is made when “White” People Benefit
Claim: The interests of the marginalized will only be realized when “White” people benefit.
Biblical Response: God sovereignly controls all things from the total of human history to individual experiences in life (Matt 10:29-30; Rom 8:28; Eph 1:11). Nothing done in private, or public goes unseen by God and all good things that are experienced in this life are seen as gifts from God (James 1:17). These truths supply hearts of Christians with rest. Yet, Christians have freedom to pursue justice when a crime or acts of injustice are experienced. The Apostle Paul, who rested in God’s sovereignty also appealed to his rights when he was personally wronged (Acts 16:37-38; 22:25-28). This is the same Paul who reminded Roman citizens living in Philippi they had a greater citizenship in heaven and were to remain trusting in Christ who is sovereign (Phil 3:20-21).
Since we live in a fallen world alongside non-Christians, we should not be surprised when sinful people accept bribes, deny justice, cut corners, or look out for their own interests. If and when this happens, Christians must first pray to God for our leaders to repent (1 Tim 2:1-6) while naming the specific ungodly actions they’ve practiced and embrace the peace God gives us while we’re anxious (Phil 4:4-6). Then if God provides a platform to prophetically call out the leader’s sin, it should be followed by an appeal extended with gentleness for God to change their heart and actions (2 Tim 2:24-26). In addition, Christians must ensure our actions in private, and public are not in-step with the abusive leaders we’re calling to repent (Rom 12:9-10; 14-21). Lastly, Christians are free to not obey leaders’ requests or commands to sin against God’s word (cf. Dan 4:17-32; Acts 5:29).
Now, regarding interpersonal relationships among God’s people, its painful when Christians of any ethnicity do not apply Philippians 2:1-11 by looking out for their self-interests. Since Christians are not all-knowing, we don’t have the ability to fully know another person’s intentions and motives however, these can made known by behavior patterns (Matt 6:1; Rom 8:8; Eph 4:14; James 1:22) and words (Matt 5:22; Eph 4:23-32; James 3:1-12; 1 Pet 3:10). When Christians confront each other regarding habitual self-interest practiced inside the church, Scripture must be used when naming the sin because God’s word exposes what’s hidden in our hearts (Heb 4:12-13). In Scripture there are two specific instances regarding interpersonal relationships in the Church where leaders did not look out for their self-interests, confronted wrongdoing and the result was equity for the marginalized.
In Acts 6 the Apostles were brought a charge of partiality between Hebrews and Hellenists involving widows inside the beloved community (cf. Exod 22:21-27; Deut 10:17-18). Hebrews and Hellenists had segregated themselves from each other both socially and spiritually[4] but post-Pentecost they entered into the Church together to form the beloved community. During this time in church history, there was no established system of support for Jewish women who were widows and did not adhere to Judaism[5] so, their support was the generosity of Christians.