This blog post is part four of a five-part series entitled “Four Areas of Growth for Sovereign Grace Churches.”
Jesus calls us to join him in his mission saying in Matthew 28, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20, ESV). This commission to take the gospel to “all nations” is just one proof text in Scripture that shows us that the gospel is not limited by racial, ethnic, or socio-economic boundaries. The gospel is so powerful that it transcends those boundaries and reaches people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Therefore, this area of growth to “build and lead racially and ethnically diverse churches” is not driven by the politically correct thing to do, nor is it motivated by some ungodly fear. Rather this call to “build and lead racially and ethnically diverse churches” is a reflection of the gospel we proclaim, apply, and hold so dear in Sovereign Grace. And we will not be able to lead and build racially and ethnically diverse churches apart from the gospel. Here’s why:
Racism is a Sin That Finds its Cure in the Gospel
A quick survey of the news headlines tells you that racial and ethnic hostility exists in our world today. Whether it’s the hostility between the Turkish people and the Kurds, or the headlines in the U.S., filled with names like Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner, we see racial and ethnic tensions throughout the world. Racial hostility is as old as the Fall and as contemporary as the shootings in Charleston, SC last year. That’s because racism is a sin. James writes, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (James 2:1). Racism is the sin of partiality seen in attitudes and actions that distinguishes or values one race over other races and is a denial of the biblical truth that all human beings are created in the image of God. Racism is what James warns against in James 2:4, “have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:4). The only cure for sin is the blood of Jesus Christ that he shed for us on the cross. Where you see racism in your heart (and I see it in mine), confess that sin and receive the forgiveness that is yours in the gospel of Jesus Christ. And then repent by loving those who are different from you, and in so doing you will “fulfill the royal law by loving your neighbor as yourself.” (James 2:8 ESV) To deal with any racism that may be in our hearts, and in our churches, we desperately need the grace of God that is ours in the gospel. And we will not lead and build racially and ethnically diverse churches apart from the gospel!
The Gospel Breaks Down the Dividing Wall of Hostility
Like so many other sins, racism builds a wall of hostility between people who are different from us. We see those walls in our relationships, workplaces, college campuses and our communities. The only hope of tearing down those walls is found in the power of the gospel. Paul writes to the Ephesians, “Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph. 2:11-14). The gospel does a reconciling work where through the blood of Christ, we, as sinners are washed in his precious blood. And we draw near to God, and we can draw near to one another because we are now one in Christ. It is the blood of Christ that breaks down the wall of hostility and reconciles us to one another in Christ. Only the power of the gospel can do that! And when churches who are comprised of people from different races and ethnicities love one another, serve one another, and live together in peace, we reflect the power of the gospel. Let us lead and build racially and ethnically diverse churches so that our strife-torn world will see that its only hope is in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel Reaches Every Tribe, Tongue, and Nation
Genesis 12 points to God’s great redemptive plan to save people from all races and nations when God says to Abraham “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). That plan points to and is fulfilled in Christ where on the cross Jesus dies for the sins of all people regardless of race, nationality or ethnicity. Paul says it this way in Galatians 3, “There is neither Jew or Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:28-29). God promised he would bless all the families of the earth, and he keeps that promise in the giving of His Son Jesus who brings salvation through His death and resurrection, and all those who repent and place their faith in Christ alone are added to a new family, one that is multi-colored, multi-racial, multi-ethnic and yet every member is an heir, a son, and daughter of God. Therefore, any hint of racism in our hearts opposes the central theme of Scripture: the redemption of all kinds of people through the gospel of Jesus Christ for the glory of God alone. It’s hypocritical of us to proclaim Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that saves sinners and creates a single new community in Christ while at the same time tolerating racism in our hearts and our churches. Brothers and sisters, let us lead and build multiethnic and multiracial churches, united in the gospel of Jesus Christ as a means to strengthen our mission to advance the gospel and make disciples of all nations.
Mark Prater is the Executive Director for Sovereign Grace and serves as an elder at Covenant Fellowship Church. He and his wife, Jill, have three married daughters and a growing number of grandchildren.