Answers

By   •   May 16, 2008   •   Topics:

Q:

I hate to admit it, but my parents were very prejudiced against people of other races when I was growing up, and it's taken a long time for me to begin to break free of their views. Does God favor one race over another, which is what my parent always claimed?


A:

No, God does not favor one race over another, nor does He look down on any race or ethnic group and say they are less valuable to Him than any other group. Racism is a sin, because in God’s eyes every human being is of great value and worthy of His love.

Why is this? One reason is because God created the whole human race, and He implanted within every one of us His divine image (which we usually call our soul or spirit). The Bible says, “From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth” (Acts 17:26). No matter who we are or what color our skin, God created us in His image and made us part of the human race.

But we also know all people are valuable to God because Jesus Christ came into the world to redeem us – regardless of our race or ethnic background. Jesus Christ didn’t die on the cross for one race or one nation; He died for the whole world. The Bible says that “You were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

Ask God to help you see others the way He sees them. Then ask Him to help you share His love with them and point them to Christ, both by your actions and your words.