This past Saturday, a group of self-professed, white nationalists held a “flag rally” on the sidewalk across from the church building where I serve as senior pastor. I do not care to give the group any more publicity than they have already received. While I have reflected upon racism in the past (see others here and here), in this post, I simply wish to reflect upon their presence and racism in my community.
First, though the title of this post would suggest that racism only made a brief visit to Camden, Arkansas this past weekend, racism is still tragically present in my town. Though the racism that exists is not as ideologically vocal as those who attended the rally last week, it is still here. I often find it in the eyes of those who gawk with unhidden disdain at my biracial family almost every time that we enter a building other than my church. I hear it in subtle comments that are made about the “rough parts of town.” I notice it when people reminisce about the good old days that just so happen to be before integration and government housing. Yes, racism came to town last weekend, but it was silently greeted by a few who share the same satanic, twisted convictions.
Second, while racism is not new to Camden, I have been encouraged by the response that I have seen from hundreds of citizens in our community. The vast majority of the people with whom I have spoken expressed with disgust and disdain for the rally. Those who expressed their disapproval were both young and old. They came from different ethnic backgrounds and differing socioeconomic levels. I was grateful to see so many people respond to the small group of protestors who gathered to celebrate the “southern cause.” While our community certainly has issues to overcome, it is clear that at least some in our community are ready to have a real conversation about racial unity.
Finally, as I watched a video of the rally, I found it ironic that the backdrop of the film was the stone outline of my church. The irony is that while the large, ornate church building featured prominently in their video, the truths that are preached in that building on a weekly basis will ultimately undo and triumph over the falsehood proclaimed on those sidewalks. Week-in and week-out, I preach that the identity of believers is found in Christ. It is not found in their preferences. It is not found in their personal histories. It is not found in their southern heritage or lack thereof. The identity of the believer is found through union with Christ, the same Christ who was, is, and forever will be of middle-eastern, Jewish descent – the prototypical man who would be hated by the type of group that rallied last Saturday.
The message of the church in the background of that video is that God in Christ is reconciling the world to Himself. We, who were once far off, have been brought near through Christ. We, who were once strangers, have become members of God’s family, alongside a host of others who will join us around the throne of Christ one day. And on that day, people from every kindred, tongue, tribe, and nation will sing praises to Jesus, the One who tears down the dividing wall of hostility. And the beauty of this message is that it is offered to all who turn from their sin and trust in Christ for salvation. People like those standing on the sidewalk this past Saturday. People like me, who have hated others who were created in the image of God. People even like you.
The gospel is not good news if it is not for all people. So, that means even those white nationalists that have sent me hate-filled, private messages, who post repugnant comments and photos about my family, people who hate me and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ because we love our neighbors and enemies, yes, even people like that can and will be saved if they hear with the ears of faith that voice of a Jewish carpenter, saying, “Come unto me, all who weary are, and I will give you rest.”
So, to the group of racists who came to town last weekend, please hear me when I say this: the hate and pride that you rally around will ultimately consume and destroy you unless you turn from it and seek forgiveness from Christ. Whatever form of religion you claim to hold to is not the religion of Christ. You cannot hate your fellow man and claim to love God (1 John 4:8). The identity that you are looking for in a flag or a distant heritage will not fill the void in your life. You need to look to Christ, who is willing to receive you into his family, along with all those other people that He died to redeem.
CBH
