by Don Hooton
America pauses today to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., whose bold voice propelled the evidence of racial inequity to the forefront of our nation’s consciousness. It was a much-needed voice that called people to repentance; not just for the hateful violence against people for the color of their skin but for the inequity that people of color had to live with in every practical part of their existence – a struggle many experience today still.
That we needed his voice among our nation is no surprise. Like him, we are all sinners because “there is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:9). Paul applied this psalm to the universal reality of his own nation of Israel when the Psalmist had applied it to even foolish atheists and agnostics (Psalm 14:1). The Bible says it clearly, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). If God had commanded Israel to treat aliens and foreigners as their own blood and to love them with brotherly love (Leviticus 19:33-34), what would He say to our nation? To generate and to support rules, prohibitions, and segregations was – and still is – against the will of God for any nation and His people. And our nation needed that bold voice to call us to repentance.
That we needed the same voice among Christians is no surprise. James addressed the unfair speech of cursing by Christians of others. He wrote, “With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way” (James 3:9-10). And he continues, “Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer defames and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor” (James 4:11-12). And fellow Christians needed that bold voice to call us to repentance.
When I say surprised, it is not because I do not love my nation or do not love my people. It is because I should not be surprised when the Bible warns us that humans fail. Yet, the same Bible commands people to choose love and righteousness despite what is around us. Whatever the color of our skin, we should also want our kids to be known for the content of their character – not the color of their skin. We want to be known the same way. Yet, many people have been forced to struggle through a society that forced their struggle because of the color of their skin. And sadly, some have been forced to struggle in churches because of the color of their skin.
So, do not fail your brother if you are a Christian. Love people because they were created by God just like you. Honor people because they were created by God just like you. And stop the cycle of hate within our own history that has ruined generations from knowing humanity – and even the true church of the Lord – the way God intended people to know through us.
“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:19-20).