Man is a created being, and the first man called Adam was the head of the human race. The state of the world and life then was good until sin entered the world (Romans 5).
Bedilu YirgaThe devastating effect of sin on the human race and the world has shown itself in different forms. Death, separation, division, isolation, exclusivity and self-centeredness are a few. The Bible also records conflicts between men of different cultures, leading to large-scale wars claiming a great number of lives. Neighborhood fights have been part of the history of the human race from the beginning. Humanity was divided between cultures, race, languages and religious practices.
This writer came from a country that has more than 80 ethnic groups with different dialects and cultures. Experience living under the tension between conflicting races has great effect on one’s life. It raises questions, such as: Why are there different races? How should society respond to this long-aged challenge that is weakening and destroying the human race? Why has society not solved this problem yet? Humanity has tried to resolve the issue from time to time and with various means and methods—even sometimes using external forces.
The only option is to turn to the Creator and his solution. In the Bible, we have only one human race that began with Adam. No matter how many different colors and cultures exist, they belong to the same human race created from the dust and given life by Creator-God.
After sin entered the world and contaminated the human race, God’s judgment came on man with a flood that destroyed the old world (Genesis 7-10). After the flood, humanity continued with one family (Noah’s family) as its source of origin. Since sin damaged the fellowship or unity of humanity, here is God’s solution to fix the racial problem. We all need to pay full attention to the Creator’s plan:
The problem is first and foremost in each individual’s life.
The Scripture says: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath” (Ephesians 2:1-4). Everybody has the same problem—sin. The right solution begins with self—soul-searching and recognizing there is no difference in humanity. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3)
The cross is where God permanently dealt with the problem.
Many think about the significance of the cross as ransom only for their individual sin. It is true the Son of God shed his blood for our sin. The cross also is the work of God to reconcile humanity—not only with him, but also with each other. Effects of sin such as death, separation, division, isolation, exclusivity and self-centeredness became ineffective because of the cross. “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).
God’s solution for man’s problem is to create a new man in Christ.
Whether it is spiritual, physical, emotional, societal or another problem, Scripture confirms God’s way of reconciliation is the only answer to our questions in this life. “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility” (Ephesians 2:14-16).
The church has a key role in the divine plan.
Scriptures make clear a believer in Christ is a new creation and part of one body of Christ called the church (1 Corinthians 5, 12). The church is on mission to spread the good news of the cross to all nations. Believers who are in Christ make up the body of Christ—the church. “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:10-11).
Galatians 3:26-28 reads: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Yes, there is struggle in this life due to the effect of sin. Humankind cannot solve it by human wisdom or power. God has provided the greatest gift, his Son, for salvation. The challenge to the church is to preach this good news in words and deeds to the world.
As Texas Baptists, this is the opportune time to proclaim the gospel of reconciliation aloud in our state and afar. The whole world is looking for a solution for broken relationships. Let us continue to engage our communities with the gospel of peace. His cross is for reconciliation with God and everyone!
Bedilu Yirga is first vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and pastor of Ethiopian Evangelical Baptist Church in Dallas.
René MacielI had another chance to connect with Super Summer last month at Houston Baptist University as I was the rainbow speaker for the week. The theme for the week was “Follow Your Leader,” a challenge from 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
