How Should Christians Respond to Racism?

How should Christians respond to racism. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question.

At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 also email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com and you can post a question on our Facebook or Instagram pages as well will given all the negative news this week. We want to start off with the good news story for you today.

It's about a British man traveled 600 miles to donate stem cells to help save a cancer patient's life. His name is Rob slight. He lives in Strom this England and he says he had pretty much forgotten that he signed up for stem cell registry several years ago until a call came through alerting him that he was a potential match. Rob is 29 years old. He's a self-employed diving instructor and a part-time bartender. He's currently out of work because of the coronavirus situation in England, but he headed straight to Sheffield to undergo the stem cell procedure. The journey took them two days involved applying an overnight stay and three trains. Rob says since he's not working right now. It was the ideal time for him to be called up any hope for stem cell recipient makes a full recovery.

While that's wonderful just makes me think we get the 10 Commandments you know you have that commandment not to murder.

That's not just about not killing. It's also about the preservation and propagation of life for many, it's no we should be people who want to help others live and live to the fullest.

And what an example of that here in this story from England just was so cool when I read it, you know, you think about everything that's been going on with the coronavirus and civil unrest here in the US and you didn't hear about people that are making a difference in doing something good and so kudos to you Rob Wallace get to our first question of the day and this one comes from Julie who says I've been a Christian for over 15 years and recently I've been having this overwhelming fear of dying.

Even though I know there's a heaven and there's eternity there's a seed of doubt about what if this is the and it is given me anxiety and panic attacks. Can you offer some encouragement or even some helpful resources yeah Julie will first let me just pray for you father in heaven. I lift Julie up to you and I ask that you would fill her with your Holy Spirit and give her that.

Hope that we have is Christians Lord in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come in when she feels that doubts creeping in. The fear of death to fix your eyes on your son, Jesus Christ, the one who is conquered death and grant her comfort assurance and strengthen her faith. I pray in Jesus name, amen Julie when it when it comes to death.

I think we as Christians get to have a balance that is an often struck in the rest of the world.

On the one hand, death is minimized today referred to his passing away because death is such an an ugly thing, you know, we try to dress it up pretend it's somehow good and natural but the biblical understanding of death couldn't be further from that death is not a natural part of life. It's the opposite of life and it entered the world because of sin, something that God is not the author of pulsating in first Corinthians chapter 15 the last enemy to be defeated when Jesus Christ returns is death. Death is horrible to some people try to minimize it, but others live in absolute dread of it.

I'll never forget my my math teacher in high school. He would sometimes talk about his dear mother in class, a wonderful woman but a woman who was afraid to go outside. He said she lived hunkered down because she was always concerned that she was in a get sick and die in her old age were familiar with this dread a little bit more now than before because of the pandemic.

But as Christians. While we recognize death is terrible. We don't have to be enslaved to the fear of death. Listen to what the author to the Hebrews said in Hebrews chapter 2 verses 14 and 15.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood. Jesus himself likewise partook of the same things that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery, Julie. We don't have to be enslaved to the fear of death, because we have the gospel now that doesn't mean that there are going to be times of fear of doubt and I want you to beat yourself up over that guy gets normal to have the kinds of thoughts that you're having when they're playing you what you need to do is meditate on the resurrection of Jesus Christ see the reason that we know that this is not the end. Julie is because Jesus Christ experienced death and rose again from the dead, conquering it, and that's something that worked were sure of. We have the testimony of the apostles, the prophecies given to us by the prophets. The witness of all the martyrs in the early church. I mean Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and that's why you can know that death is not the end for you and for all those who believe in Jesus Christ cling to that hope Julie. We pray that that offers you some comfort in this current situation will continue to pray for you and gobbled it at that assurance that you're going be with him for eternity. One day will this core Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez, one of the ways you can contact us is by going through our website at core, Christianity.com/radio and there there's a little microphone on the right side of the page where you can record your question for us and let's go to one of those voicemails right now.

I pastor a drilling bill.

This is not from Philadelphia. Thank you so much for your wonderful podcasts. I've been listening to core Christianity. Since its inception and have really been encouraged to grow the knowledge and faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you so much.

I must confess, though, that I've been frustrated over receiving more information about the coronavirus and the news media in general, but that there is an appalling lack of wisdom. What is godly wisdom does wisdom come primarily through reading Scripture to come primarily through praying to God on a daily basis, or both. And I guess for me, how can I confront these frustrations that I have and to defeat them with God's help. May the Lord continue to bless you and your ministry. Thank you.

Thank you Matt super encouraged Meyer call Matt and I think I can sympathize with you when it comes to Vito feeling frustration at times, especially during this this whole pandemic. I know a lot of people can the church needs a lot of wisdom right now. Pastors we need a lot of wisdom every individual Christian needs wisdom in order to navigate the divisive and confusing times we are living in others an entire genre of Scripture called the wisdom literature, which, if anything, tells us that God thinks you when I need wisdom what is wisdom is what it is. It's the ability to make right judgments. By applying the truth of God to particular situations does not just the knowledge of Scripture. But it's how to apply the truth of God's word in a particular circumstance or situation.

Think for example of Solomon going back to first Kings chapter 3 verse nine. You remember what he prayed for. He said give your servant therefore an understanding mind govern your people that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this your great people in the verses that follow God's response were told it please the Lord, that Solomon had asked this and God said to him, because you've asked this and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right.

Behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you, and none like you shall arise after you now. Immediately after this prayer and God's response what you have is that famous scene were Solomon judges between the two mothers who are arguing over a baby to determine which of the two is the mother of the child and and Solomon makes this judgment to find out who the true mother's and everybody is astounded by the wisdom that he demonstrates so there is wisdom is the discernment to apply God's word to the situations of life in order to do this you need to know God's word as you say. So yes there is a relationship between the word and wisdom but knowing the word doesn't ensure that were also going to apply it wisely.

And that's why we have to ask for wisdom. We have to pray for it. And there's this wonderful promise in Scripture. I think it's probably one of my my favorite promises and all of the Bible James chapter 1 verse five. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him here is that the realities when we pray, asking God for wisdom in faith. We pray believing God is going to answer that prayer.

He gives to you wisdom when you ask for it. So we have to know the word of God, Matt, we also have to pray Lord, give me wisdom so that I can apply your word in each particular circumstance in my life and live in a way that is honoring to you and is as you know right now.

We desperately need that wisdom so let's join together and pray as the people of God asking for and knowing that the Lord will give it to us when we ask in faith. Thanks for your question federal I'm also thinking about the other way that God reveals himself to us that his his word through nature through his creation. And you know he's asking about coronavirus and the fact is that's not specifically addressed in God's word. But God has revealed himself in the created order. We have to be careful of course how we know interpret scientific findings or research or what not, but that's another way we can be wise is by being discerning and how we read those things and interpret those things. That's right, I am a God is speaking to us through general revelation is with what you're referring to is that the world he made which is his world and also through special revelation through the Scriptures and we want to receive both of those ways of God speaking to us you through through natural revelation and through special revelation and we want to pray that God helps us to apply the truth that he gives to us in every situation. Matt, thanks so much for your questions a great one. You're listening to core Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez and we have a really cool offer we want to mention to you today yeah you know I'm really stoked about this with all seven things you need to know about heaven.

It's free when you sign up for our weekly newsletter.

One of the greatest topics. Christians can think about is eternal life that working 1/2 with Jesus Christ but unfortunately there's a lot of confusion today about what heaven is going to be like you have all these people were writing books claiming to have gone to heaven and coming back to earth and I describing you know what they experience what we have a book already. The Scriptures give us a window into heaven, and that's why we created this resource so that you can have a biblical view of heaven, and a record Christianity.com/offers to download seven things you need to know about heaven. You can also call us for that resource at 833-843-2673.

That's 833 the court was going to another question. This one was posted on our Instagram page from Corey and Corey says what is the biblical stance on racism. How should Christians respond to oppression and courier are right that this is a controversial issue and limitations in our pastor say this the other day he said in over 20 years of ministry he has never once been asked to not speak on any sin except racism while let that sink in. He's never had people tell him you should preach against abortion or you should preach against sexual immorality, but it seems like when pastors talk about this issue. Folks get uneasy, the accusations of you know, being a social justice war you're a liberal get thrown around. The fact is we as ministers and all of us as Christians need to call sin out where ever it is. And racism is a heinous sin in the eyes of Almighty God. If the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves, and if racism oppresses my neighbor and objectifies my neighbor in this sin is a violation of one of the greatest commandments in Scripture. And yet people are afraid to talk about it. They get uncomfortable and pastors are asked to shy away from discussing court. This should tell us something.

It should trouble us part of the problem is this. We have so confused Christianity with politics that people often assume Christian equals the stuff political conservatives identify with and non-Christian equals the stuff progressives talk about this is racial injustices often tend to be at the forefront of the discussion in politically progressive circles. We shy away from them because we think that to discuss the evil of racism is to identify with the liberal left. But here's the thing. When we call out the evil of racism were identifying with the word of Almighty God. Woe to those who are willing to condemn the desecration of the image of God in abortion but not willing to condemn in racism both are heinous in God's eyes, and Christians ought to say so were reeling over this right now. We as Christians should mourn because of the death of George Floyd for example and pray that God changes the hearts of those who are prejudiced, we should pray that God changes our own hearts, because the fact is churches in this country about a history of not speaking up on this very issue, but I know that this is heavy.

But isn't our goal to be biblical to speak the truth of God's word, which is Christians believe the lies of people matter because there made in the Amado day the image of God.

Black lives are made in God's image and when we see those lives being unjustly treated or crushed. We should cry foul on the basis of holy Scripture care what CNN says or what the Huffington Post says those aren't my authority.

This is God's holy law that we want to abide by.

So how do we address this issue will one thing I think the first step is listening.

Listen first to God's word.

I think Scripture is clear about this. It's saying we need to call it sin, condemn it, but also listen to our neighbors the black people, especially if you're Christian black brothers and sisters in the church. Too often we talk about this issue instead of talking to one another with charity and a desire to listen you guys the gospel brings us together were multiple races that were united in Christ, and we need to start pursuing each other in charity and love so that we can be an example to the world of the unity in diversity, that the gospel brings about. I think that this is one of the ways that we as a church can shine so brightly for Jesus Christ in a society that is so divided, where there is so much tension so much of fighting so much pain.

We have to be unified in the gospel.

No matter what are our backgrounds are such a powerful enemy. I think of what Jesus said in John 1335.

The world is good to know you're my disciples by your love for one another than Jesus in John 17, praying that the church would be one why so that the world might know that God the father sent his son into the world. Our unity, our ability to come together despite the fact that we might be different and to love each other to serve each other is such assigned to the rest of the world the power of the gospel. We need that right now we need that desperately right now you know what I just want to pray that God in his mercy would help all of us individually and as Christians would stop and take a moment to pray with me. Father, we need you. Our country desperately needs your help the church desperately needs your help.

Help us, O God, to honor you to speak the truth of your word, especially with regard to this issue, Lord, to be able to say sin is sin and to condemn it. Wherever we see it to stand against all injustice and all prejudice, Lord, to rejoice in the fact that we are made in your image and to seek to love all fellow image bearers the love that you give to us. Help us Lord is a church to be united in your gospel to gather around Jesus, the forgiveness of our sins to have that unity that peace amongst ourselves so that we might be able to demonstrate the power of the gospel to a world that is longing for something else for something better, something that only you can give would help us to be faithful to you to stand up for those who are oppressed, to speak against all oppression to cling to the hope that we have in your son Jesus Christ that unites us and it's in his name we pray. Amen ma'am Cory thank you so much for asking that very important question. Literally appreciate the biblical response and thank you for praying for our nation. You're listening to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez and would always love to receive your message. You can email us at questions at core, Christianity.com or you can call us at 833-843-2673. Another way to contact us is to go to war, Instagram, or Facebook page and post a question there, let's go to another call, this one came in from Kim in Junction city, Kansas and our father prayer and help change that one is this latest not into temptation. I don't know what he changed it to, but I say protect us from temptation and deliver us from evil. So I was just curious as to what happened with that particular step is and our father prayer let you show, keep up the great work. Have a great week by hey Kim, thank you for that question yes or sometime ago, the Pope did suggest a change to the Lord spread because it was last year's rationale. From what I can remember was that in heat he felt like the change that that should be made at least the English translation or version helps to better explain what Jesus meant there in the Lord's prayer, so the suggested change was instead of lead us not into temptation. Catholics would say Roman Catholics would say do not let us fall into temptation but affect the matters Kim and there's a couple things are one. The Pope known individual pastor does not have the authority to say I'm going to change the words of holy Scripture and obviously I don't think that he thinks he's doing that.

I think he's trying to explain in the way that he thinks fits best with the fact is the original does a fine job of translating the Greek text of Matthew chapter 6 verse 13 lead us not to temptation but deliver us from evil, or from the evil one, the realities God is sovereign over Satan and even over temptation.

We just look at the story of Job in the Old Testament, Satan had to go to God, the Lord and get permission to tempt Job to to put him in that difficult trial that we that horrible trial that he experienced God is absolutely sovereign. He's absolutely in control and you know what doctrine makes people uncomfortable. Sometimes you know I think it was that the great Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon, who once said you know we love God everywhere except on his throne. We love them on his we love them in his workshop as he's creating the heavens and the earth. You don't that making all the beautiful things that we get to enjoy but the moment that God sits on his throne.

We get nervous. Why all because we want to be in control what we view ourselves as the ones who should be enthroned so often and I think that he's right. This doctrine, the reality that God is sovereign in control of all things, it might make us uneasy. But at the end of the day what it should do is comfort us because we can go to the Lord and say God deliver me, protect me. You are in control what the psalmist is with all my heart I have sought you do not let me wander from your commandments God you are all-powerful, our hearts are prone to wander, but you can give us the strength you can help us help us Lord, and I think that's what Jesus is, is getting out there in the Lord's prayer as we cast ourselves upon the Lord, knowing that he is the King of heaven and earth that we trust in him, as I don't think there needs to be any change to those words.

I think that that the English Bible. Most English translations translate that perfectly fine were going to the Lord because we know he's the one who is sovereign over temptation over the evil one. He doesn't tempt us Scripture make that very clear that he can protect us from temptation and that's what we pray to him in order to do that your listing to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez and you can email us with your question@questionsthatcorechristianity.com or you can call us at 833-843-2673.

Another way to contact us is to go to work, Instagram or Facebook page and post a question there. Thanks for listening to core Christianity to request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us@corechristianity.com and click on offers and the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673 that's a 33 core when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this podcast and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together