Chapel 1/19/08: Race

I thought today's chapel was an excellent presentation and one that was very relevant for our impact team, so I hope you took advantage of the opportunity to think about race in a different light. He brought out some good verses that apply to race and that are helpful to us since we deal with people from different racial and cultural backgrounds. Like Dr. Thompson said as he closed, the solution to reconciliation is not simple, but what is exciting is that we can be part of the solution by understanding what God has told us and by acting on that reality.

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:4

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." John 17:20-21

The early church also wrestled with racial tensions. The traditionalists of the day did not believe that the church should seek to reach the Gentiles, and Paul and Peter had to demonstrate that the call of Jesus is for all men, not just Jews. As in the first century, prejudice is still alive and well today, and it's not easy to deal with, but we must work for reconciliation so that the church can be all she was intended to be, and so glorify God.

Paul