READ 1 John 4:7-21
The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the
outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
While the American Civil War during the 1860s purported to end slavery, and the American civil rights war during the 1960s purported to end discrimination, racial issues persist. Decades of protest marches, court battles, school busing, legislative actions, and discussion panels, while helpful, have failed to bring lasting racial harmony. What can we do about this?
Acknowledgment. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). We ought to ask God to reveal any racist thoughts within us or any racist actions committed by us. If we have asked God to examine our hearts, and confessed and repented of any known sins, we can know we are forgiven and have a clear conscience. 1 John 3:21 says, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.”
Forgiveness. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15). How can we expect God to forgive our sins if we refuse to forgive those who have treated us or our ancestors unjustly? We can’t always control what other people do to us, but we can always control what we do to them. If we fail to forgive, the perpetrators retain their power over us, and we remain out of fellowship with God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Acknowledgment and forgiveness lead to healing.
Prayer: LORD, please help us to love others, regardless of their outward appearance.
Prayer Focus: FORGIVING THOSE WHO HAVE HURT US.
Rick Stockwell retired from a career in information technology, teaches Sunday school for first graders, served as an elder at his church, has been married for thirty-five years, and has two children and six grandchildren.
Rick is the author of two novels in his Heavenly Realms series called The Wall and The Battle. Audio, eBook and paperback versions are accessible via this link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07HQ8G3MJ
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