What is Racial Reconciliation?

How does Racial Reconciliation begin?
What are the responsibilities of whites and blacks in racial reconciliation?

The link to Race Matters is a good place to begin in understanding what needs to take place between whites and blacks or whites and native Americans.

I believe that it is undeniable that our country has a need for racial healing. The question for some is who needs to take the first step? If we look within the pages of the Bible I think we will find a surprising answer.

Let's first look at Matthew 5: 23 - 24 "If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way, first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering."

Most whites would say that they are not responsible for what happened during the slavery years and that is true. Although that is true it still does not heal the generational wounds that resulted from the sin of slavery. Our responsibility as whites is to acknowledge that wrongs were committed during the slavery years. The wounds caused by slavery have been passed down for generations. By seeking to reconcile with our black American brothers we can lay our offerings before God and they will be acceptable.

Now let's look at Matthew 18: 15 - 20 "And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother." Later in these verse Jesus tells us that when two or three gather together in His name, there He is also."

Most blacks would say that they are not responsible for what happened during the slavery years because they were the victims. Although that is true there are black tribes that sold other tribes to the white man and so there is some sense of responsibility on certain black tribes for slavery. The responsibility of blacks is to go to a white brother and confess their hurt and the sin that was committed against them. According to Jesus they are to seek reconciliation with the offender.

I believe three things must happen in order for reconciliation to occur. 1. A confession of sin has to take place (a taking of ownership of having caused the wound), 2. A forgiveness of sin must be given (a giving up of ownership of the wound) and 3. Freedom from sin resulting in healing must occur (a releasing of the wound to Jesus and His sacrifice covering it). The third action has to happen or steps 1 and 2 are useless.

Romans 5: 6 - 11 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

At the foot of the cross both whites and blacks stand equally guilty of sin and equally forgiven of those sins. There fore we as Christians we are called to a ministry of reconciliation.

Brothers we need to move from being dependent or independent to being interdependent but that cannot happen unless we practice the ministry of reconciliation.

What are your thoughts?