The Only CURE For Racism, Terrorism, & Hate, is Jesus
We live in a time of total unrest. Every time I turn on the TV I see ISIS killing, white vs black anger, hate for cops, hate for politicians, and of course, everybody thinks they are right and anyone that opposes them is wrong and risks retaliation or labeling. From racism to radical Islam, to any form of hate, I’d like to propose what I believe is the only solution to the problems of the world, no matter where you may be geographically seated.
We need to begin with a very basic understanding that you cannot legislate love. You can’t vote a leader into office and force kindness onto people. The problem cannot be solved by casting a vote on Election Day. It can’t be solved by protesting. It definitely can’t be solved by vandalism, or violence.
If we identified the problems of the world correctly we would see they are matters of divisions that are often times fueled by our own governments for political advancement. Those divisions are also growing from within the people, such as Democrat vs Republican, White vs Black, and even in Christianity, we have Baptist vs Catholic. Heck, some will even fight over a football team. We cling so tightly to the identity we have that we will not let anything or anyone oppose it. It seems we think we have the right to push our identity on others by means of force.
Many of us (Christians included) seek to change the world by forcing our views on everyone we can. We think “if everyone voted this way everything would be okay”, or “if everyone would just agree this/that group is racist then all would be fine”.
Today I want to propose that the answer to all the world’s problems is Jesus. Oh no, I won’t force Christianity on anyone. I don’t think God calls us to protest and hold up signs like “God hates fags” or “You’re going to hell”. Those people are part of the problem and never accomplish anything – except for more division and hate. In fact, I think those people tend to lead people away from Jesus, not toward him. While I can’t judge the heart, I often fear that those people express so much hate that I wonder are they really born-again believers.
So how can Jesus be the solution to racism, terrorism, and hate in the world? For starters, Jesus is not about a demand to do something. Contrary to religion He’s not about rules and obeying laws. Don’t get me wrong, I firmly believe that faith in Jesus is the only way to the father, but when we misteach who Christ is for us we create division. Jesus is a uniter, not a divider. The world would condemn a prostitute but Jesus would gently pick her up and tell her “I love you, and I don’t condemn you”. Drug and alcohol addiction, struggles with pornography, it just seems the world condemns almost everything and everyone, and while some would say so did Jesus, I’ll argue that His plan was the exact opposite. His plan was to draw all men and women to Him as He expressed His unconditional love. He expressed that love in a big way when He let man slaughter Him on the cross so they could be freely forgiven, through faith, not perfect behavior.
John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 12:47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
There is something amazing about people that truly see Jesus as full payment for sins. When we see our own sin we realize the entire world has a problem that is equal to ours. We see it’s not the size of our sin or the frequency that condemns us, but rather that we are all born sinners, dead in Adam, and we all need a rescuer no matter how small or how big our sins are. The solution for every human on earth is the same, and it’s Jesus, and it’s free to anyone who will receive Him. We don’t lose Him when we struggle with sin. He swears He will never leave us or forsake us. And while legalism and rules never change a bad person, God does it Himself.
I know we see some people that seem to think Christianity is a behavior improvement program and you rarely, if ever, hear gentleness from their voice, or receive encouragement that you are a forgiven person loved immeasurably by God. I don’t know if those people are true believers or not, but I know that the most loving, gentle, and kind people I have ever met are Christians. It saddens me when someone proclaims His name and yet their message is built on fear, punishment, and condemnation. That’s not the God we serve.
The Bible promises that, apart from our human effort, anyone that calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. No strings attached. Believe in Him and you WILL be saved. But there’s another part of this promise which is what cures racism, terrorism, and hate, and you won’t find it in Islam or any other religion. Not only are we saved and forgiven (by faith, not effort) of all our sins past/present/future, but God does something radical and He actually changes us from within. He gives us new hearts with new desires (Ezekiel 36:26) and He puts His Spirit inside of us. Though we all struggle with sin we can’t help but desire to express the love of God.
Our new identity is completely and radically changed and we all become united by our faith, not our color, our political views, blood line, or anything else. Instead of holding up signs that suggest God hates people, we begin to desire to show unbelievers who Jesus is as we show them unmerited kindness, love, and acceptance. Just as Jesus didn’t approve of the prostitutes actions, this does not mean we approve of bad behavior, but rather we understand what they need is Jesus, not more human judgment, rules, or condemnation.
It is the love of God that draws men to Jesus. Then and only then do we put aside our differences as we become united as one in Christ.
[Galatians 3:28-29] “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
[Romans 12:5] “so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
This isn’t something we have to try to do. It becomes part of our identity. The walls of division are torn down as we begin to let Jesus live in and through us. I don’t mean this in the religious sense of ‘you better do more be more’, but rather I mean this new identity is a love that doesn’t need to be forced and it certainly doesn’t need to be measured by how much you ‘do’.
The Pharaoh was lifted up and put into power by God. He rejected God and God used his evil so that His name could be known throughout the world. By all means, you should vote and pray for godly leaders, but I believe God places all men in authority by His own will, and God’s will is done no matter what leader we end up with. That includes when we get evil leaders who seek to suppress the truth of God.
[Romans 13:1] Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
No matter who our leaders are God is above them and He is our only source for peace and unity. If we seek any other way we will fail.
Lastly, the world may be seeking to take Jesus out of our courts, schools, and workplace, but God doesn’t live in buildings made with human hands (Acts 7:48). We are the temple, God is home, and no one can remove Him from us.
He, and He alone is the answer to peace, unity, and rest.
God Bless
Author: Mike Cynar
Mike Cynar was raised in a church setting where he frequently noticed that many attendees would eventually drift away. The church labeled these individuals as ‘back sliders’ or ‘fake Christians’ just looking for ‘fire insurance’. However, Mike realized the issue was rarely with these individuals but instead with the church’s message itself. The teachings heavily emphasized behavior improvement and one’s flaws, with only a fleeting mention of one’s identity in Christ. It felt as though every sermon was tailored to the church of Corinth, who as we know or committing sins that even unbelievers don’t partake in. This trend was noticeable not just in one denomination, but across Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal, and many other churches. Upon understanding the true essence of the gospel – that our righteousness comes from Jesus’ actions, not our own – Mike was inspired to liberate believers from lifeless sermons and reconnect them with the genuine teachings of Jesus. He believes that one can nurture a vibrant and growing bond with Jesus, unhindered by rigid religious practices. And thus, “Jesus Without Religion” was born.
It turns out that it is grace that leads to repentance. And if our heart is to get others to walk in the Spirit and live a godly life, then the best approach is not a beat down sermon, but rather to remind other that it is only when we understand our true identity in Christ that we will live it out. Yes, it’s true, if you’re convinced that God thinks you’re a dirty sinner, you will ultimately continue a lifestyle that mirrors that view, but if you truly believe that even on your worst day, you are called holy, sanctified, justified, and will be presented blameless in the end, well, it turns out this is the secret to living out on the outside what has been worked in to the inside.
