Fight against Racism Is Our Sacred Calling and Responsibility for All Human Beings Made in God’s Image.

Our sins nurtured racism: Our inaction strengthened the arms of racism. Our ignorance made racism more violent and blatant. Our silence permitted racism to raise racists in our community and to wield its clubs against our black brothers and sisters. We have been observing various incidents of unfairness, brutality, and mistreatment for months and years, but we failed to respond to their pleas and agonies. Where were we when the victims of racism were calling out for equality and begging for one more breath? Have we become the priest and Levite who passed by the wounded man on the ground, too busy to lead worship services and small groups and too eager to keep the ceremonial laws over loving our neighbors – people of color? Are we loving them as we care for people of our own color? Have our sins failed George Floyd? Are we still passing by him today?

All people must fight together against racism. Yes, reforming political and legal infrastructure that instigates unfair treatment and sentencing is a crucial task, but our fight is not against the corrupted and ineffective systems of the government only. Yes, some of the tactics that police officers use to maintain the law and order should be evaluated and adjusted when they fail to serve their ultimate purpose which is to protect all people of this country regardless of their colors. However, not all men and women in uniforms are the oppressors of the oppressed. Yes, there are many white persons who consider people of color as inferior human beings and promote bias and discrimination, but not all whites are racists. Many of us who are people of color should think about the way we have treated other marginalized persons: “Have we given the same respect to them as we demand respect from the white?” I failed many times, unfortunately. Yes, it is imperative for Christians to pray to God to end racism in this world, but simultaneously, we are in desperate needs to be more creative, intentional, and proactive to renew the ways our churches think about racism and treat people of color, by using Scripture as our moral compass in these dark times.

Fight against racism is our sacred calling and responsibility for all human beings made in God’s image (Isa. 30:18-19; Mic. 6:8). The heartbreaking story of black Americans must be our story; George Floyd must be considered as our brother; the problems caused by racism that impact the lives of the minorities must become our problems. We need to be on the side of the oppressed and care for their open wounds and ignore not their generational scars. This is our time to work together in this calling and responsibility. This is our time to protest against racism and continue the march on the boulevard of the dream of MLK. His dream is the same dream that God wants us to dream and to carry out for His glory by using His very people and churches. Our fight against racism is not simply political, social, or liberal activity but is to choose and be on the side of God who loves justice and mercy. Let’s stand with God and fight with Him against racism.

Let’s humble ourselves, repent our iniquities, and ask God for His forgiveness. Let’s beg of God to move our stubborn hearts to do what He wants from us in these significant times. Let’s ask God to use His people and churches to participate in this sacred calling and responsibility and lead the righteous campaign against injustice and inequality. Let’s cry out to Him to heal the broken bodies and spirits of the victims of racism and to eradicate racism from this world once and for all. Come Lord Jesus and establish Your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven! Maranata!

J.D. KimJune 24, 2020