Race. Unity. The Gospel.

Let's talk about the issue of unity, with respect to race, and the Christian. First, the Bible is very clear that our racial distinctions are by God's good design (Acts 17:26). He created us as a multi-racial creation and this diverse creation is beautiful. 

Secondly, eternity will continue to be a multi-racial existence (Revelation 7:9). The Bible is very clear that we will continue to exist in a plurality of racial expressions around the throne in worship for all of eternity. 

The Bible is also clear that, while the gospel does not tear down racial distinctions, it does tear down the walls between those from different races (and genders, and socio-economic status, and culture, etc.) and unites us together as a singular family (Ephesians 2:14). 

This means, then, that our multi-racial family of God is more our family than our own flesh and blood. Many who are part of our flesh and blood families have not necessarily chosen to follow Christ, while many across racial and cultural boundaries have, and therefore many of those in our flesh and blood families are relationships that are not eternal, while all believers from across different races and cultures are part of an eternal relationship. 

This also means that the church has an obligation to function as family now, as a practice of the theological reality that we are one in Christ, and in anticipation of the coming of Christ's eternal kingdom. This means that we are to manifest the gospel promise that walls that divide us are to be torn down, and we are to live in peace with one another, not as separate but equal, but rather as a unified family of beautiful distinction. 

This also means that we ought not celebrate colorblindness. We shouldn’t be “blind” to the beautiful diversity that God created. Our racial and cultural distinctions are part of God's good (and eternal) design. Our racial and cultural diversity ought to be deemed good by those who follow Christ. We don't turn a blind eye to racial distinction, but instead we acknowledge it as beautiful, and celebrate our unity in the midst of this diversity. 

Right now many organizations are trumpeting and pursuing racial unity. Those of us in the church can be discouraged by some of those organizations because they stand for other things we find problematic. But consider this, one of the reasons they are drawing a crowd is because they are pursuing what the church should be pursuing, but hasn't, for too long. 

The gospel saves us. The gospel tears down the dividing walls. The gospel makes us one in the middle of our diversity. Let's make the pursuit of that end one of our passions, Christian family. We will honor Jesus as we do.