I have found myself in the past(and some present) being real frustrated, and sadden over the state of the church. I think about many of those in my neighborhood, who, are frightened or turned off at the thought of being apart of Christianity, let alone a relationship with Jesus because how they see those who claim to be His hands and feet treat those of such caliber. Caliber? You know, the person who skin color is different then yours so you don't bother to build a relationship with them due to whatever stereotypes you have believed, or what about those who clothes you see and you automatically think "thug", or "drug dealer", or what about the person who's hair isn't straighten, but tightly coiled, and the first thing you think about is Africa instead of beauty, or the mom you see with three kids and her finger nails done and you think, "welfare recipient". What about when you think of the black church and the first thing you think of is "loud music, bad doctrine". Have we ever given any thought how this mindset affects the gospel and Gods Kingdom? The way we love our neighbor is the way our neighbor will experience Gods character and love here on earth.I am so thankful that Gods grace is amazing and that He is slow to anger, and full of compassion. I am also thankful that many people ARE out here being Gods hand and feet, showing the world what Gods heart is really like... because if the Gospel was based off of our ignorance and lack of love towards man, towards the poor..towards those different than us.. a LOT of us would be messed up.
Jesus came and broke all walls of hostility.We must learn what it means to show tolerance, love, and acceptance... God created all of us different..In HIS IMAGE, for HIS GLORY. I love this acronym I heard a while back spoken by an older white male who was apart of the Civil Rights Movement, he taught us a new meaning for the word RACE.
R.espect A.ll C.ultures E.qually.
I could not agree more.