My Black Brother By Another Mother

PREFERENCES ARE NOT THE SAME AS PREJUDICES

Ron Wood Columnist
Ron Wood Columnist

"In a divided society, only the church can model unity." Except it doesn't. Sunday morning in America is still the most racially divided time of the week.

That quote is from Bishop Joseph Garlington, senior pastor of Covenant Church of Pittsburgh. His church is white, black, Asians, Latinos: a rainbow mix. My wife and I ministered in South Africa with his wonderful interracial ministry team. By our team's unity in diversity, we modeled reconciliation in Christ.

Joseph is my black brother by another mother. We both love Jesus therefore we love each other. The Bible says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28)

That's the miracle of the body of Christ. The real Church is not a building or a religion, but a living body. It is made up of all its members on earth by virtue of the new birth, regardless of race or culture. Christians all have the same Father in heaven!

Have you discovered this? The first time I went to a black church I was the only white man among 1500 people. I felt awkward! Crossing lines takes courage. Today, with black believers who love Jesus, I know I am among family members.

If you are prejudiced yet claim to be a Christian, then you hate your brothers and sisters. That's crazy! Does heaven have ghettos where people of different races are segregated? No! Jesus is honored for purchasing with His blood "men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation." (Revelation 5:9) The body of Christ is multi-racial.

Being baptized in the Spirit put God's love into my heart. "We know we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death." (1 John 3:14) Love is not colorblind but it overrides racial prejudice.

This doesn't mean I can't prefer my own heritage but it does mean I can't hate a person with different skin color. Personally, I prefer my wonderful southern culture and that's okay. Preferences are not the same as prejudices.

The God of the Bible loves humanity. He rewards us according to what we deserve. But racism is a sin to be repented of. Racism ends in Christ! The church of God is meant to be a haven of reconciled sinners loving each other and blessing the world. We should practice this love, not just preach it, building bridges one person at a time.

Some sins do affect society. When we confess and forsake our sins, God forgives us. But the next step - righteousness - is up to us. Will we follow His word? Jesus said, "This is my commandment, that you love one another." (John 15:17) A radical idea!

In the body of Christ, our loyalty is to King Jesus. The church must not be political. Some ministers have traded their anointing for political favor. Politics has no place in the kingdom of God. If Jesus is Lord, then He is neither Republican nor Democrat. As His kingdom advances, as His will is done, society gets healthier.

Love doesn't overlook bad behavior. People are accountable for their character and behavior whether black, white, yellow, or red. Find a friend in Christ who is not of your birth culture. Forgive past offences. Let love prevail. Be a peacemaker!

RON WOOD OF FAYETTEVILLE IS A MINISTER, WRITER AND WORKS WITH EMT IN PRAIRIE GROVE. HE LIVES WITH HIS WIFE, LANA, AND A RETIRED JACK RUSSELL TERRIER, NEAR THEIR SIX LOVELY GRANDCHILDREN. EMAIL: [email protected].

Editorial on 07/01/2015