We’ve spent the last few blog posts considering the idea why the love of Christ unifies us and how the power of Christianity works to reconcile races. In quick summary, we are unified in the person of Christ and work out practical actions against division of races because of the love of Christ that is in each Christian.
To put the last three blog posts more simply and in one sentence: the love of Christ defeats racism. If we, as a people, wish to dismantle the power which racism holds in our nation, then we need to continually show the love of Christ in every situation (just like the family members of the murdered at “Mother Emanuel” did).
You see, the forgiveness that the family members gave to the church shooter stopped the flow of racism or hatred that could have (would have) erupted from this situation. Racial tensions are high currently, and a highly emotional and disruptive event like the murder of those nine innocents at a church Bible study could have sparked further rage and violence. However, with the actions of the victimized, with the forgiveness of the Christians being shown globally, evil was quenched.
That’s not to say that there will be no more evil acts. But it is to say that evil which wished to continually flow from this one instance was either hindered or completely stopped.
This is the power of Christ in us. This is the power of His love. Christ’s love stops the flow of terror and brings in grace that heals. We as Christians must be the primary grace-givers on earth. It’s all too easy to go with the flow and wish vengeance on the church shooter and others like him. It’s much harder to desire grace and peace to reign supreme.
Was forgiveness the first thought in your mind when you heard of the church shooting recently? For many of us, it wasn’t.
Lord, give us your heart for peace on earth. Give us your love so that racism is defeated in our nation. Amen.
