The Gospel Promotes Interracial Harmony

Romans 16:2 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

From chapter two through the rest of Romans a thematic thread addressing the potentially destructive force that racial conflict and tension can bring into church life runs through this book. The foundation the apostle Paul laid and the intense logic of his arguments gave a clear statement of the commitment it would take for all Christians to avoid the dire consequences of racial division

Paul showed how the fundamental truths of Christianity logically promote racial harmony among Christians. Instead of being one homogeneous nation, as with Israel before, we who populate Jesus' churches are adopted children who have no common racial ancestry. The gospel and the preaching of Jesus revealed the former secret that the population of the Church that Jesus built would be made up of every kindred, tribe, and language on earth. The “power to stablish” us in our racial complexity is found in that message. We must hear it... we must know it... we must live it...

Like much of the rest of practical Christianity, our interracial stability is found in the profound belief in and commitment to the clear statements of Jesus, Paul, and other New Testament writers about the global power and intent of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the call for our obedience to the faith that has saved our souls.

Those who use Old Testament passages to foster racial division are using the Bible incorrectly. The New Testament changed the rules of the game. Those who want to argue with God about this issue will receive this response: For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Romans 9:15, 16 God has chosen it to be so... and I am so glad to be a part of His great family! And I say, “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”

Jesus Receives Every Race & So Must His Church

Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Every nation has a history of racial intolerance and struggle. In recent times we’ve seen war between people for no reason other than their racial or cultural differences. Sadly… even churches have become involved in racial politics to the point of twisting scripture to teach a separation of the races in the church that Jesus built.

Well… the Apostle Paul, in these verses, is deliberately addressing this subject again. And it is clear: if Jesus receives someone then His church must receive them too. This unity, in spite of racial difference, in a world of division and hatred, will glorify God.

In this verse we are commanded “to receive one another, as Christ also received us…” In verse 8 he reminds us that Jesus was a Jew, but in verses 9-12 he records various Old Testament passages which taught that Jesus didn’t come for Jews only… He came to die for non-Jews of every race too. These non-Jews were to be received into the church at Rome just as the Jews were received. There is to be no separation of the races, we are one in Christ!