This past week’s nationwide protests triggered by the unjust and senseless death of George Floyd refocused our attention here in America to the ongoing, structural injustices that inflict our nation today, 244 years after our nation’s founding. The blatant — as well as the less visible forms of — racism against African Americans continues today, everyday. We all know this. There have been so many documentaries, films, videos, books, articles, podcasts, lectures, sermons that highlight the historical and present injustices against African Americans shared online this past week, and I hope this mass circulation of educational materials and, more importantly, ways that people can practically change their actions and hearts continues.
As protests for racial justice and reconciliation grew around me, I struggled to think about what I can do as an individual. I was reminded by my pastor during our church service this morning that God commands that we love one another. He does not request or suggest that we love one another; He commands this. 1 John 4:20 says, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” There are so many verses in the Bible that command that we love one another, and condemns hate; even hate in the heart. After the commandment to love God, the Bible greatest commandment is to love thy neighbor. We are one human race, and by God’s grace I hope that we all — starting with me — accept this Holy command to love one another.
If interested, check out the resources on our church’s website.