In lieu of our regular blog this week, we’d suggest you listen to Pastors Jeff and Ezra discuss “Racism, Rioting and Redemption” in their Instagram LIVE Interview link here.

The Biblical Framework they use to discuss the events which have unfolded in North America this week following the death of George Floyd, centers around the conviction that racism is not primarily an education issue, or a political issue, or a policing issue. Racism is primarily a sin issue.

While all people are created in the Image of God…
So God created mankind in his own image,
     in the image of God he created them;
     male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:27

Sin corrupts people’s hearts.
We often treat others with contempt rather than recognizing their dignity as image bearers of God.

We are all equal in our rebellion.
All people have rebelled against God and are under condemnation for their sin:
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23

And we are all equal in our salvation.
All people who trust Jesus for salvation are acquitted:
and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. – Romans 3:24

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3:26-28

As we live on this earth, God calls his people to speak out and stand up against oppression…
Learn to do right; seek justice.
     Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
     plead the case of the widow. – Isaiah 1:17

And He promises that when He returns, He will make all things new and heal the nations.
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. – Revelation 22:1-3

Pray for people to have empathy for one another and strive for peace. May we treat one another with respect and honor as fellow image bearers of God.

Kristal Toews
Pastor of Discipleship