Racial Arrogance

Americans are such racists. By and large, all of us are.  Whether you’re black, white, red, yellow or whatever.

We argue amongst ourselves about racial equality — primarily between black and white. It’s amazing, however, to see how those racial lines seem to disappear into a form of unity when our American race is challenged.

Take the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. Hundreds of thousands of people killed, maimed and left homeless. Yet, even in the first week we heard:

Why should we help them? We have Americans who are sick and poor and homeless.

Those statements are true. We do have sick, poor and homeless within our own borders. No denying that. There is aid around. In Knoxville alone, there are several shelters for the homeless. Hospitals care for the sick, there is medicine here. It’s as if American pride has surpassed godly love and even moral and ethical justice:

“We’re a “Christian” nation, founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs. We are special. We follow God. We deserve better.”

Amos 9:7-10 ….. Micah 6:8 ….. Luke 12:48 ….. Ephesians 2:14

Israel thought that way, too. They boasted of their rescue from Egypt. Then God pointed out to them that He had rescued others too, including some of Israel’s worst enemies, the Arameans and the Philistines!

Israel seemed to think that their position as God’s chosen allowed them a certain protection — even from punishment for sin. Not so. Nor is it so for America.

As a nation, we have been given so much! We have been shown such grace, yet in our pride we say, like a little child, “Why should I share with them?”

Because God said so. That’s why.

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