Race & Ethnicity

FOUNDATIONS
United in Christ
NEED TO KNOW PASSAGE:
Equal in Christ
EPHESIANS 2:11-22
Distinct in Christ
APPLICATIONS
Listen, Look, Lament, Love

FOUNDATIONS
United in Christ
Genuine and lasting reconciliation between people groups will only come about in Christ. Our flesh is
divisive. It sees the unfamiliar as a threat and divides based on cultural and physical differences like skin
color. It turns differences into value judgments, competition, and conflict. Jesus came to seek and save the
lost from every ethnicity and culture so that all who come to Him by faith would become one in Him.
“14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of
hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new
man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross,
thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who
were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” - Ephesians 2:11-22

See Also: Matthew 28:19; John 17:20-21

Equal in Christ
There is no partiality with God in regard to ethnicity, culture, gender, social class, economic status,
immigration status, or nationality. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. God loves and is seeking people
from every culture and ethnicity to be with Him forever. To be in line with God’s heart is to demonstrate the
same impartial love.
“34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation
anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” - Acts 10:34-35

See Also: Galatians 3:27-28; James 2:9

Distinct in Christ
While there is one human race, God created variety in culture and ethnicity. All people groups are equal in
value and dignity even in their differences. In Christ we recognize and value that variety as a reflection of
God’s heart and creative vision.
“9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and
peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches
in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the
Lamb!’” - Revelation 7:9-10

See Also: Acts 17:26


APPLICATIONS

Cultural Response Christlike Response Cultural Response

Color Biased Color Brave Color Blind

Jump into uncomfortable

conversations with honesty, Ignore race issues or ethnic and
Idolize your own ethnicity and cultural distinctions. Avoid or
compassion, empathy, and
create an “us vs. them” mentality ignore the tensions and
courage, embracing differences
born out of prejudice. difficulties experienced by people
and loving like Christ. Build
relationships with people who are of other ethnicities.
different than you are.

LISTEN to Gain Understanding

Reconciliation requires mutual understanding. Understanding begins with building relationships and
listening, not to prepare a response, but to see things from someone else’s perspective. Listen, read, and
research the history and issues that will help you understand and empathize with the experience of others.
“19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of
man does not produce the righteousness of God.” - James 1:19-20

See Also: Proverbs 18:2; Proverbs 18:15; Philippians 2:3-4

LOOK Within
Reconciliation always begins with you. Wherever you find yourself in a situation involving the topic of race,
you begin by drawing a circle around yourself, owning and addressing everything in it, and then inviting
others into your circle.
“23  Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts! 24  And see if there be any grievous way
in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! “ - Psalm 139:23-24

See Also: 1 Corinthians 11:27-34

LAMENT With Those Who Are Hurting

Our culture is quick to jump to anger and attack or avoidance and defense in situations involving race. But
often, the first and best step when caring for a victim, perpetrator, or a witness of racism is to take the time
to feel the weight of the pain a person has experienced and/or caused. This is how relationships are built.
“15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” - Romans 12:15

See Also: Matthew 5:4; 2 Corinthians 7:5-7

LOVE Like Jesus

There are no exceptions to Jesus’ command to love one another, and love will always require effort and self
sacrifice. You cannot love like Jesus from a safe relational distance. While next steps may require radical
forgiveness, pressing into injustice, or stepping into highly charged situations, the driving principle of our
actions has to be Christlike love.
“12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” - John 15:12

See Also: Matthew 5:43-47; Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 10:29-37; John 4:7-10