Racism Part 1

RACISM--That word no one wants to acknowledge that we ALL have problems with. Today I want to remind us of some scripture that we can use for ourselves as we battle the SIN of racism. We ALL have the potential to be a racist. WE ALL have sinned and come short of the GLORY of God. Right?

 1 John 2:11  "But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

So the challenge is this:
1. Look at our own heart and see if there is RACISM in our hearts.
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts,
Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

2. Then ask the Lord to show it to us and then pray this prayer as well....
Psalm 5:7-13
Purify me from my sins,[c] and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again;
    you have broken me—
    now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
    Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
    and don’t take your Holy Spirit[d] from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and make me willing to obey you.
Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
    and they will return to you.

3 Live out that clean heart through teaching others BY YOUR WORDS AND ACTIONS how to love ALL people.....not just be nice to them, but LOVE THEM.
I John 3:18
"Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."

4. Which means standing up for someone when they are wronged because of the color of their skin.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of ALL..... Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Then, this will happen................
Isaiah 58:8-9
“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
    and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
    and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind
Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
    ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

Will you take the challenge today?
Will you ask God to show you the ugliness of racism in your own heart? 
Will you allow Him to cleanse you from ALL unrighteousness?

Then and ONLY then can we see change in this area of SIN in the Greater Montgomery area.....