The Church Has Left the BuildingSample

As followers of Jesus we are not relegated only to spiritual matters in our communities. Jesus solved more than sin problems; He solved social problems as well. Jesus was about soul work and social work. Change in the world in which we’re a part should be the bi-product of our commitment to internal, heart transformation. As Jesus works on matters of the heart it will supernaturally produce change externally. Our relationship with God should directly inform our relationships with God’s people – the way we listen, the way we celebrate, the way we host, the way we mourn, the way we advocate, and how we make a way for others to experience the same opportunities we have been given.  Relationship with God should absolutely impact the way we engage within our cities, with social issues, and with people who look different than us.  Racism is a sin problem. It is a mindset problem. Racism can be defined as a conscious or unconscious sense of superiority based on one’s race; it is a sin that prevents people from experiencing life as God intended it. It devalues the image of God in another person. We have limited understanding of the state of our own hearts, but also don’t know other people’s heart motives. God alone knows the heart, so we must continually seek understanding and revelation in order to walk humbly in forgiveness, considering others first, and asking God to increased awareness of the places and spaces within our own lives that need to His help to change. 

Questions:

1. Think about race and diversity in your local community or national context, as well as the variation in the people you encounter daily. What might you do unconsciously that would prevent someone from fully experiencing the love of God simply because they don’t look or sound like you?