What MLK Day Should Mean for Christians
By Dorothy Brooks
When something really historic happens, we often mark the day by noting where we were on that day, and by what we were doing at the moment…
On August 28th, 1963 when 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak, I was a 16 year-old high school student preparing my clothes for the first day of my junior year. School would be starting in a few days and I was watching TV as I ironed my new school clothes. I was scared, excited and resolved at the same time…amazed that this was happening in my lifetime. A new day of freedom was opening up to me as I watched the broadcast from our home in a segregated neighborhood in Beaumont—a city that had experienced a race riot years before.
THAT was the past that we are celebrating some 50 years later. But from 2020 on, our grandchildren and great grandchildren may ask: what did we do in the 2020’s to impact change? Did we cower in our homes as some Black people chose to do 50 years ago? Did we choose to label social justice as a liberal issue and allow liberals to own the fight for freedom and justice?
Today, we are facing racial issues that are deeply dividing our country, yet we have little involvement from our churches, other than the use of identity politics.
Here are the reasons I believe Christians should become engaged with the issue of racial equality:
The Bible calls us to be ministers of reconciliation
(II Cor 5: 18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Forgiveness is our core value
When taught correctly, embraced fully, and practiced daily we are truly living out the nature of Christ on the earth and doing what He did.
Well grounded, discipled Christians are able to see beyond racial identity, social standing and sinful pasts
We are uniquely equipped to help others who are tormented with identity politics. (2 Cor 5:16) Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh.
Here are ways we can become involved after our eyes are opened to the necessity:
Pray about the racial division issue specifically.
Vote in every election, evaluating candidates based on their platform, record, integrity and not their racial identity.
Engage
Don’t let non-Christians define who you are by your silence or no-involvement when you see obvious wrongs or crimes against others (when we WOULD have acted if it were our “own kind”)
Enlarge your circle to include all people (Caucasians, of color, etc.). We can learn from each other.
Read about and learn facts about Black history to increase your appreciation of the courage, wisdom and strength of Black people.
Confront any prejudice or hard heartedness you might have. Forgive and take steps to mend relationships that were broken because of race.
When speaking to the issues in the Black community or in Black families, listen as well as offer solutions. We all need Jesus and discipleship. Issues in the family and community start and end with whether we embrace this truth.
Lead with respect for all people. Do unto others.
We are living during a critical time when this one issue, racial politics, can be used to divide and destroy our nation. Christians must engage because we have real solutions.
Will you commit to take the pledge to PRAY, VOTE, and ENGAGE on behalf of our nation?