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Dictionaries define racism as a belief that certain ethnic groups are superior by birth and nature. While ethnic differences have existed thousands of years, the idea of ethnic superiority exploded about 400 years ago. Historians say it spread as explorers left Europe and wanted to justify their subjugation of other ethnic groups. Some used the superior race theory to justify the domination of Native Americans, African Americans, Jews, and Japanese. The best antidote for racism is a total commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord, which includes obeying His teachings. Even though some use Christianity to justify slavery and racism, our Lord’s teaching totally repudiates ethnic superiority. Here is what Peter, Christ’s apostle, insisted should happen when people truly know and follow our Lord. In first Peter 1 we read, “Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.” People who regard Jesus Christ as their Lord carry no hatred in their hearts for any ethnic group. And if they do hate, they show themselves to be hypocrites—not genuine followers of our Lord.
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