I know our society has made great progress in race relations during my lifetime—but you’re right: Much remains to be done.

Racism, I’ve found, is almost universal—but that doesn’t make it right. In fact, in God’s eyes racism is a serious sin. The reason is because God created every human being, and God made every one of us in His image. Yes, sin has marred and defaced that image, but no matter what our ethnic or racial or cultural background may be, we are all God’s creatures, and God has implanted within each of us a soul. The Bible says, “From one man he made every nation of men” (Acts 17:26).

Furthermore, Christ died not just for one race or one ethnic group; He died to save people “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). When we come to Christ, we become part of a new family—the family of God. Now we are brothers and sisters with all who share our faith in Christ.

Will racism ever be completely eliminated? Perhaps not; racism has its roots in human pride and sin, and these will never be completely erased until Christ comes again. But that shouldn’t keep us from reaching out and trying to eliminate the barriers that divide us. Yes, laws have a place—but most of all, our hearts need to be changed, and only God can do that. And He will, as we open our hearts and lives to Christ’s transforming love.

Open your heart to Christ today.