“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.“ – Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.
This past week, I had the opportunity to serve inner-city communities in Memphis, TN. Our group was able to spend time with inner-city kids, the homeless population, refugees, and even convicted felons. Memphis has a dark history filled with sadness, oppression, and racism. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared to go on this trip. I knew I’d be interacting with people that didn’t look like me or act like me. I knew it would be uncomfortable at times. I knew that I would experience darkness.
While in Memphis, I was able to take a tour of the National Civil Rights Museum. I saw darkness, hate, and oppression like I had never seen before. And it was hard. I wanted to look away. I didn’t want to believe that people used the name of Jesus to justify the terrible things they did. I wanted to believe that things were better now.
But they’re not.
Self-hatred within the body of Christ is crippling the church. It’s an inside job. Preventing the church from being unified. Causing believers to hate their own brothers and sisters. We see it every day but choose to ignore it. Banning people from seeking refuge in our country. Systematic oppression. Racism. These things are real. But they’re brushed off and pushed under the table.
When we come into agreement with what God says about one another, it shuts the door to the enemy’s attacks. As followers of Christ, we need to take authority over our inner lives. Our thoughts are just as important as our words and actions. Our thoughts matter to God. We need to stop looking at each other according to the flesh and start seeing each other with resurrection eyes. Jesus died for all. The people who look like you, and the people who don’t.
We cannot press into the deeper places of God without seeking to see things from His perspective. And from His perspective, we’re all His Beloved.
Imagine how different the church would be if when we locked eyes with someone, we saw kingdom potential in them instead of race or status?
“Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than this.” -Mark 12:31
Your neighbor. Your neighbor isn’t just the person who sits next to you at church. Your neighbor is the one you pass on the street asking for money. Your neighbor is the one who’s discriminated against because of their skin color. And we’re called to love every one of them.
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” -Revelation 7:9
Heaven. The place we were created to dwell. The place our hearts long for. It will be filled with people from every tribe, every tongue, and every nation. Racism, prejudice, and division do not exist in heaven. When we pray, “On earth as it is in Heaven..” we need to mean it. We need to want it. The Father’s heart is for all, never against any.
Jesus was a radical man. He broke rules and social norms. He broke bread with sinners and gentiles. Aren’t we called to be His reflection? Aren’t we as His followers called to live a life like His?
I pray that God would break down the walls that racism, oppression, discrimination, and hurt have built in the church body. His heart is for unity. We can honor our Father by honoring our brothers and sisters. I pray that God would give us resurrection eyes. That He would allow us to see people just the way He sees them.
Because I’m sure we underestimate His love.
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