Letters to the Church: Emotions and Racism Uzorak

Dear Convicted One

In the pursuit of seeing God’s multi-ethnic kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, where there is belonging in diversity and unity abounds, we are all being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Each one of us, challenged to leave behind our carnal nature, to pursue holiness and through conviction seek obedience and repentance. This is the journey of sanctification that God leads us through. This is a letter from a convicted one.

I remember when conviction came knocking, I didn’t realise I had any issues, any prejudice or racism and then it hit me. Week by week I was learning and seeing things I’d overlooked. The unconscious bias, the privilege I’d overlooked, honestly the times I thought I was better. The presumptions I’d made about myself and others were shocking. It was painful to recognise how far my heart was from the heart of God. It hurt to know that I’d let people down, sometimes without realising it. That’s what you’re going through right now - God showing you where you have fallen short. You’re probably just like me; I wanted to run, I wanted to avoid the conversations but I knew I couldn’t. The sting of my own flaws and failings was challenging, but I needed to feel it and you can’t brush it off either. We may not like it but conviction is a necessary part of our faith. Hebrews 4:12 says that His word cuts through like a double-edged sword. It comes to cut between things fused so close they seem like one. This conviction isn’t condemnation. God isn’t cutting through just to make you feel like a terrible person, though we need to feel it sometimes as we recognise the reality of our sin. You have seen the error of your way so this I say to you, our God is a Refiner.

God is looking to purify His people - this is crucial to building the church. Ephesians 5:27 teaches us that Jesus is actively working to sanctify the Bride “so that He might present the church to Himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”Therefore conviction is essential, yet something many of us would rather avoid. Why? Because it is challenging and requires us to change.

When God convicts, it hurts because it’s true, holy and righteous. But when God convicts us it is to lead us out of our old ways and into something new. If God is convicting us about racism and prejudice in our hearts, we need to ask ourselves “what needs to shift in our lives in this area?” Our greatest response to conviction is repentance. When we recognise that we have committed an offence against God, not just others, we must change - transforming both internally and externally. We need God to take us on the journey of renewing our minds but we should also actively change the rhythm of our lives. What are you going to do? Conviction is part of the pruning process - a call to crucify our flesh, to see the fruit of Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit throughout our lives (Galatians 5:16-25).

Reflection Points

To the convicted one:

• Questions:
  • Consider what God is challenging you about. Are there cultural, environmental or experiential issues God is highlighting? Seek repentance and ask for forgiveness from others as God leads
  • Do you have a plan for change? What needs to shift internally and externally?
  • How can you tune in to the conviction of God over the condemnation of the enemy? Seek pastoral support if you are struggling with guilt or shame
• Pray for God to renew your mind and transform your heart to be more like His in this area

To the rest of the church:

• Pray that God will use this devotional to bring conviction to those that read it
• Pray for those that have been convicted - that they will choose repentance and change.