Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s most popular quote is from his, I Have A Dream speech.  He said, “I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” It was a powerful statement based on a great biblical truth.

When God sent the prophet Samuel to Jesse to anoint one of his sons as king, Samuel, looking at Jesse’s oldest son, assumed he was the one to anoint. But God said to Samuel, “…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7b

What if we in this country would see people, all people, as God sees them? Sadly, many in our culture today continue to make skin color the dominant and ultimate issue.

In the video below, the comedian Sam Adams, takes a lighter look at skin color, and makes the point brilliantly. He says that he is not black; he tells his audience what color he is, and why. Following the video are some of my thoughts about skin color, racism, privileged people and identity politics.

Racism

On the serious side, we are living in turbulent times here in the United States where the term “racist” seems to be at the forefront in almost every discussion about almost every issue. It’s not only sad, but it’s alarming that these days, if you don’t agree with certain people, seemingly for any reason, they quickly label you a racist.

No one can argue the fact that there are people in this world who have prejudices, sometimes very extreme prejudices, against other people who look or act differently than they do. That is not going to change. We all inherited a sinful nature after the Fall, recorded in Genesis 3. And so, there have been, there are, and there will always be those who display disdain or worse toward certain other people.

I’ve read a number of articles, and one recently by Ken Ham, entitled, Are There Really Different Races? He pointed out a number of things I have believed for a long time. It’s a rather lengthy article but well worth your time to read it. https://answersingenesis.org/racism/are-there-really-different-races/

There Is Only One Race

Regardless of culture, geographical location, or skin color, we are all human beings. We are all descendants of Adam. The Bible makes this abundantly clear in Acts 17:26: “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;”

The word “men” in that verse is the Greek word, anthrōpos. It means human beings; all human beings. According to God’s Word, we are all related, by blood. Regardless of culture, geographic location or skin color, there is only one race, the human race.

One can take the time to do some honest research regarding “racism.” The origins of what we today call, “race” began in the mid 1800’s. There are many scientific studies and related articles that debunk so much of what many believe and promote as racism.

The United States Is NOT “Systemically Racist”

I wholeheartedly disagree with the highly promoted notion that the United States of America is a “systemically racist” country. Systemic means predominate. Those who promote that are saying the whole of the US has been and still is today, predominantly against human beings they label as, “black people.”

As this country grew and evolved, people from many different cultures, geographic locations and various skin colors arrived and faced difficult times. Those labeled as, “black people,” suffered and endured more than any other group of people. But our country has made huge progress.

We are no longer living in the 1860’s. We are no longer living in the 1960’s.

We elected a man, labeled as, “black,” to the highest office in the country; not once but twice! Add to that there are today, US Senators and Representatives, as well as State Senators and Representatives; there are Governors, Mayors, City council members, and judges at every level including the Supreme Court. And how about “black” billionaires, millionaires, revered sport figures, large and small business owners, teachers, doctors, literally every walk and station of life. And we need to include all the contributions made to the arts, including literature, music and films. And this country is systemically racist? No. .

Are there some people in this country who are prejudiced against other human beings? Without a doubt. Are they the majority? Far from it. But there are those today pushing hard to get people to believe that if you have a much lighter skin color, you are a racist whether you know it or not. If you disagree, it’s because you are denying it, and you’re still a racist.

There are some people who are prejudiced against other human beings for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to language or accents, lifestyle, beliefs, and, yes, color of skin. Human nature is far from perfect. But to say those who have a lighter skin color are all racists, is the same prejudice in reverse. And we are told over and over that those with the fairer skin color have more privilege in society than people of color.

When it comes to privilege, why do those with seemingly intellectual privilege get to be surgeons and scientists? Is that fair to those who do not possess equal intelligence? What about those with athletic privilege? Is it fair they get to play major league sports and make millions while others do not? And how about those with great voice privilege who end up with lucrative recording contracts. Is that fair to the rest of us?

Without a doubt some people have more advantage than other people for a variety of reasons. Perhaps a better question would be, “What about those who choose to work hard, overcome whatever obstacles or disadvantages they face to become successful?” Is that fair for those who do not?

The Real Privileged People

As I mentioned earlier, God’s Word is plain: there is but one race, the human race. In the Old Testament God highly favored a certain group of people, the descendants of Abraham. As such, they were much more privileged than the other people during those days. When they followed God’s words, He protected and took care of them.

And when the time came, God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. And Jesus Christ fulfilled all that was necessary to redeem mankind. Since then, God lovingly offers an invitation to “whosoever.” And that invitation comes with tremendous privilege, real privilege.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

God so loved the world. It doesn’t say, white people, tall people, rich people, etc., it says, “the world,” all people. The invitation is to “whosoever,” anyone and everyone in the whole human race. Those who accept the invitation by confessing the Lord Jesus and believing in their heart that God raised him from the dead are saved! They are born again; they obtain eternal life. And in doing that, they become the most privileged people on the planet!

All the people on the earth are not God’s children; only those who get born again. The Bible says those who are born again are God’s children. To think that God Almighty could literally be your Father! Now we are talking about some privilege!

The New Testament reveals and details tremendous privilege that God’s children have, including obtaining eternal life, receiving God’s spirit within, access to the Father by way of the spirit, all trespasses forgiven, made righteous in God’s sight, no longer under the Law, a verdict of not guilty, a guarantee of meeting Jesus Christ in the clouds when he returns, and many more exceeding great and precious promises!

Talk about privilege! Born again Christians are the most privileged people on the face of this earth. And, as such, we are delighted to invite others to the party!

Identity Politics

For those who are born again, when it comes to identity politics, there’s absolutely no room for any of that with God’s children, regardless of skin color, nationality, station in life or any other category.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

The Bible teaches that those who are born again are all part of One Body, and each member is important and needed, with their different longsuits and abilities to contribute so we can serve one another. And the head of this One Body is Christ.

Born again ones can discover from the Bible all the rights, privileges and abilities they have as a child of God, and take advantage of them, or not. They can choose to trust and believe God to help them in their everyday lives. Or, they can choose to be a victim, finding a reason why their life is so difficult, while others are successful. Those who do choose to trust and believe God will be blessed.

Meanwhile, in our country, shouldn’t Christians be demonstrating the love of God toward all people? If God loves all people, shouldn’t we do the same? Shouldn’t we reject those who seek to divide us by promoting identity politics, and instead see every person as an American, with the freedom and opportunities this great country affords them? And shouldn’t we lovingly promote godly principles instead of succumbing to the secular culture that seems to be gaining more ground day by day?

Until we stop looking at skin color, unique talents and abilities, station in life and all the rest, and do what God does, not look at the outward appearance, but look at the heart, we are going to have problems and divisiveness in our country. We could start by teaching our children to not look at the color of someone’s skin, but on the content of their character.