The events of this past weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia have weighed heavily on my mind and on my heart.  I just simply cannot understand how parts of mankind can have that much hatred toward one another just because of the ‘color of one’s skin.’  As I’ve read news reports, watched videos and saw incredible photographs, my heart breaks with each image.

On social media, I encouraged Pastors to let their congregations know where they themselves stood on this matter, and on issues such as racism, hate and bigotry.  And as my Monday begins to unveil, I’m seeing many posts, quotes and articles from my colleagues in ministry.  The thing I have to caution is this:  we can talk about it, denounce it, condemn it, whatever-form-you-choose-it…but if we’re not willing to fall on our faces before Almighty God and to put actions to our prayers, then all we’re only going to be in this sad and vicious cycle of ‘rinse, wash, repeat.’

Here is my statement that I read yesterday to our folks at Cornerstone West Memphis:

“Before we continue in our journey with Jonah, I would like to make a statement concerning the hatred, the bigotry, and the ungodly acts that have taken place this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Under NO circumstances whatsoever, should racism exist in our country.  REAL Christianity and racism are unequivocally opposed to one another.  Just over 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ gave His life as the Ultimate Sacrifice for ALL of mankind.  On the cross, Jesus took on the sin of the world for every race, gender, color.

Jesus Christ Himself, tells us in John 3:17 that…“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Please understand, Jesus Christ loves ALL PEOPLE:  Every tribe, every tongue, and every nation.  And one day soon, every one of us WILL BOW before Him.  For those of us who have given our lives to Him, and have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior, we will be given our inheritance which is to spend ETERNITY with our Savior…in a place called Heaven…where there are NO SKIN COLORS.

Any person who claims to love Christ and hates his fellow man does not know Christ at all.

Paul tells us in Romans that…“For I am NOT ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” – Romans 1:16

And in Chapter 12 of Romans, Paul continues to explain this to the Church in Rome:

Romans 12:9-21 –

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 

¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 

¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 

¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 

¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 

¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 

¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 

¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 

¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”  says the Lord. 

²⁰ Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

ANY HINT of Racism, White Supremacy or this so-called ‘Alt-Right’ movement is not accepted, nor will be allowed in God’s House.  And as your Pastor, make NO MISTAKE, I vehemently OPPOSE ANY indication of, and, will boldly stand in the face of racism!  Standing ON GOD’S WORD, I CAN NOT, nor WILL NOT, Tolerate It.”

The solutions to racism will never be found in either of our political parties, in Washington, nor in places such as Charlottesville, Virginia.  The answers lie at the throne of God.

Remember this, people act (spiritually) lost, because they are lost.  This is not a color issue.  It’s a heart issue.