Mixing God's races

Since I live in the deep south, where "racists" seems to be the stigma placed on many of us by some not from around here, I thought I would touch on the subject of interracial dating/marriage, which may lead to some talk about racism in general.

First of all I believe racism still exists in the south, but before you jump all over me, let me say that I believe it still very much exists everywhere, even up north, out west, across the globe, etc., etc. It not only exists between white and black, but other races and nationalities as well. However, in the United States the Black/White controversies have been the biggest issues.

There has been much argument over the years, I'm sure, of whether White people should marry Black people. Growing up in the south it was understood that interracial dating was a no no, and almost to the point where it was okay to have a black friend, just don't bring them home with you (I definitely disagree with that view). One argument that has come, probably from both sides, is that God doesn't want us to intermarry, and that he actually commanded that in the Scriptures. Those who can't find those verses, argue that if God wanted us to marry anyone he would have made us all the same. For those arguments I politely say "That is a bunch of you know what!"

First of all God made many different kinds of people, many different kinds of colors, that much is true. But even those of us who are similar in color are in all actuality as different as a white person is to black person. So that means we should find someone who is exactly, and I do mean exactly, like us to be with. Not gonna happen.

The Scripture thing has always bugged me, and I have argued it with a few people before. True, that God did not want the Israelites to marry outside of their nationality, and in some instances commanded that some not marry outside of even their own tribe. Levite marry a Levite, you get the point. The reason he did not want an Israelite, to say, marry a Canaanite was the fact that Canaanites and other nations did not worship the one true God, Jehovah, but worshipped many different idols and participated in things that were abominations in his sight. Simply put, God, like any good parent, wanted to keep them from being enticed by those practices. The bible gives examples of how that happened. Just look at Solomon. Many different nationalities claim Christ as their savior, and God is pleased with any relationship that is built on the foundation he has laid for us through Jesus Christ.

God never intended for us to separate ourselves from each other simply because someone looks different from us. God wants unity for us as a people, not as a caucasian, african-american, latino, Italian, whatever. He longs for unity between all colors and nationalities. How can one reject the marriage of two God-fearing people who love each other and love God, but are two different colors.

It fills me with sadness to hear someone say, "That's just gross to marry a black person" a phrase that I have heard before, more than once. That, my friends, is not the love of Christ.

It makes me sad that there is still a huge void in races when it comes to worshipping God. I long for the day when we can come together as people, not as colors, to worship the living God, who knows no color, race, or nationality.

It makes me sad to hear people speak of another race with ridicule, looking down on them because of what they look like, where they came from, or how they speak. God's love extends beyond those boundaries, and if his love is to be manifested in us, should we not be willing to cross those boundaries?

The Jews believed that any other race was not worthy of being a part of God's family, but God shamed them by sending many of his people to the Gentiles to show them that his love extends to all people. I believe this verse says it best.

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
-Colossians 3:11

Christ is in all of us who believe in him, regardless of what we look like. Let's stop looking at the outside and start looking into the heart, where the true person lies. Racism will not be tolerated by God, shouldn't we also despise it?

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this, you can post anonymously if you'd like.

Now stepping off of my soapbox.

Have great Wednesday!