The Church is the bride of Christ!
Jesus is coming back for His bride. His pure bride.
People of every tribe and tongue.
People of various backgrounds and perspectives.
Old, well-versed saints, and brand new believers.
What an honor it is to be a part of the Lord's Church.
You might be just beginning the journey to unlearn your biases and confront racism in your environment. You've might have been an advocate and an ally for as long as you can remember.
New or old- we pray that the heart is the same.
As lovers of Jesus we get our instructions from the example of Christ and the word of God.
Even as we tell these heartbreaking stories, even as we pray, even as we hold systems and organizations and individuals accountable, even as we march and organize, and even as we advocate for the justice of the oppressed, we will never forget to consider the words that Jesus penned concerning our enemies and examine our hearts.
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Matthew 5:43-48
We chose to love even them.
Grace is not the absence of accountability.