God made all of us, so racism is a sin
Q: My cousin is a very nice person — at least until you say something to her about people of other races. She’s very prejudiced, and when I challenged her about it once, she claimed she was right because “God made some races inferior to others.” This isn’t what the Bible teaches, is it? — Mrs. M.R.
A: No, it most certainly is not what the Bible teaches. God made the whole human race, and every person is of equal value and of equal importance to him. The Bible says, “From one man — Adam — he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth” (Acts 17:26). Racism isn’t only wrong as far as our laws are concerned, but it is a sin in the eyes of God. It has its roots in pride — assuming we are better than someone else and can even dominate them. Admittedly Christians haven’t always seen this — but God’s word must be our standard, not the wrong attitudes of others. The Bible says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
Never forget: Jesus Christ came to redeem people from every race. As someone has said, we are all equal at the foot of the cross. And some day we will be together in heaven because of Christ’s death for us. “You were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).
Pray for your cousin, and ask God also to give you an opportunity to confront her — lovingly but directly — with her need to see others the way God sees them. And ask God as well to help you reach out to those of other races and express Christ’s love to them.