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Religion or Race? The Lord Christ, the religion he founded, and the principles he taught must take priority over all human relationships. There is no debating this fact. The Lord’s own words as to who (and what) must be first in our lives are decisive! He said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). Jesus’ words as recorded by Luke are even more emphatic. We read, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate (that is, denounce, disregard, or disfavor in contrast to preferential treatment, RD) his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). There should be no doubt that Jesus and his word must be the basis of our faith and practice. Religion, not race, should be the deciding factor. This nation entered a historic era with the election of its first black president, Barack Obama. Perhaps Mr. Obama’s election indicates that the racial prejudices of the past are surely subsiding. No one should be rejected or accepted in any field solely on the basis of race. God’s word teaches truths which, if followed, will insure that all human beings will love and respect one another (Acts 10:34-35; James 2:8-9). On the other hand, we who are Christians, whether black, white, Hispanic, etc. should not support the ungodly policies of this or any other presidency. I have heard some people say that those who reject the president’s policies on gay rights, same sex marriage, abortion, and certain facets of the welfare program are racists. The aforementioned issues have nothing to do with race; they have everything to do with religion! Gay rights, same sex marriage, abortion, and welfare to the lazy are not “white or black” issues. They are issues based on “right and wrong.” They are issues about which God has spoken, and those who love God are obligated to take a stand against anyone and any institution that defends, promotes, or endorses them. Reread Matthew 10:37 and Luke 14:26. Do those texts not teach that faith trumps family and religion trumps race? If homosexuality is wrong before the great God (and it is, Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) how can a member of the Lord’s body support a political administration that appears determined to do everything it can to support gay rights (rather, “gay wrongs!”) and same sex marriage? To support a candidate solely based on racial considerations rather than principles of righteousness is the height of spiritual inconsistency. If it is wrong to support homosexuality, how can it be right to support someone who supports homosexuality? If abortion is wrong in the sight of Yahweh (and it is, because it is the ruthless murder of innocent unborn human beings, Psalm 139:13-16; 2 Timothy 3:2; Revelation 21:8) how can a member of the body of Christ support an administration that instead of funding the right to life funds the right of death for the innocent unborn? By what stretch of the imagination can one allow the murder of the unborn, yet enact laws to prosecute murderers of those who have been born? A human being is a human being before birth and after birth! If it is wrong to support abortion, how can it be right to support someone who supports abortion? It is also wrong to provide welfare to able bodied people who refuse to work for a living. It is not in the best interest of a nation to give public assistance to people who are able to work, but will not do so. First, whenever the government “gives” it also “gets,” and it is usually in the form of higher taxes. But, those to whom it “gives” welfare generally do not “pay back” via taxes because many of them are not even working! Therefore, the burden falls on hard working citizens to fund what people on welfare received. Second, how can Christians support an administration that provides welfare to many people who are lazy and unwilling to work? God says, “If anyone is not willing to work, do not let him eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
Christians must respectfully, yet
boldly, oppose evil people and policies whether they emanate from the white
house or the black house, from a white president or a black president, from the
United States or any other nation in the world. Religion or race? The answer is
obvious to every thinking person. |
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