Let's Go Back to the Bible

“They better listen”? No! “I’d better listen!”

A sermon is preached that addresses the topic of racial strife present in our society and the responsibility of Christians to rise above and follow the unprejudiced example of Jesus Himself. In reaction to the sermon, a few of “the black members” (cautiously using a colloquial expression) loved it and thought some of “the white members” really needed to listen and heed the message. At the same time, a few of “the white members” loved it and thought some of “the black members” really needed to listen and heed the message. Those of “Hispanic” and “Asian” descent thought it was great and that everyone else better be paying attention.

Why is it that it is sometimes easier to see how others ought to respond to God’s message rather than our own hearts? Could it be–think about this–that some parts of our heart might be good (i.e., receptive) soil, but other parts might be hard (i.e., impenetrable) soil? The matter of racial strife, specifically, is not just something that “everybody else needs to work on,” but it is something that starts first and foremost with ME! Whoever the “me”