What does racial reconciliation look like?

2 Corinthians 5:18-20God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.

Colossians 3:11In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

God wants all people to reconcile with him and with one another—and it is our mission to make this message known. If we only witness and fellowship with people of the same race and culture, we are missing a foundational aspect of God’s Kingdom. Racial reconciliation should start among believers within the church.

Matthew 5:23-24“If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”

1 John 4:20If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?”

Reconciliation isn’t an optional priority. It’s an urgent call—a way of living out our love for God himself.

1 Corinthians 9:20-22When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. . . . Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.

Reconciliation starts with respecting each other’s cultures. This may mean eating unfamiliar foods, learning new social conventions, worshiping God with different people, using different music and worship styles. When we make an effort to engage with another person’s culture and follow their lead, we will start to understand them better, and they will feel more comfortable being themselves around us.

James 2:14-16What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? . . . Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

If you are part of an oppressive or offending group, don’t be afraid to acknowledge racial offense—even if it may be unintentional. But also realize that an apology may not be desired or well received by someone who has been hurt. Sometimes, apologizing for racism is just a way to deal with feelings of guilt without it leading to any real action or change. Authentic love means living out our apologies and taking part in real and healthy changes in society.

Exodus 1:13-14The Egyptians worked the people of Israel without mercy. They made their lives bitter.

Lamentations 3:20I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.

Lamentations 5:1-2Lord, remember what has happened to us. See how we have been disgraced! Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners.

Romans 12:15Weep with those who weep.

Colonization. The African slave trade. The Holocaust. There are many events in history that impact race relations today. When someone’s heritage has suffered deep tragedy, minimizing that tragedy is not a path to reconciliation. Instead, listen. Empathize. Validate. Show your love and respect for a wronged person by mourning with them.

Matthew 18:21-22Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”

Colossians 3:12-13Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Reconciliation can be messy. People from different cultures and experiences often don’t understand where the other is coming from, which makes it easy to offend each other. Reconciliation isn’t about just forgiving past wrongs—it’s a choice to work through current struggles too.

Matthew 18:15“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”

Luke 17:3“So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.”

Reconciliation isn’t passive—or passive-aggressive. It requires open, honest communication about what is and isn’t healthy for a relationship. Reconciliation takes all sides working together, and that can’t happen if one side is blind to what they are doing wrong.

Matthew 10:16“Look, I [Jesus] am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.”

Matthew 18:16-17“But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”

Sometimes, reconciliation takes a mediator. Even then, reconciliation isn’t always possible with an individual offender, and boundaries must be set. Jesus calls us to be innocent and kind, but he also calls us to take precautions against wolves within the flock.

Matthew 5:44-48“I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. . . . If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?”

It’s easy to love a trusted friend—someone we are comfortable with, someone who has supported us. But it’s hard to love someone who makes our lives uncomfortable. God’s love isn’t conditional or earned. He calls us to imitate that love, even when we don’t receive love in return.

Revelation 7:9-10After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. . . . And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

We will spend eternity with believers of every nation and language. Let’s make every effort to learn to love each other here on earth.