There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (ESV)

I was raised in the south. Beaufort, South Carolina. Manassas, Virginia. I grew up with the civil war stories and the stories of the glorious South. I lived in Beaufort the year forced busing was instituted in the late 60’s. We were the white kids bussed to the black school. I watched my friends get beat up simply because of the color of their skin. I somehow escaped because I was half Japanese… I was considered off-white so I was alright. Prior to that I hadn’t experienced segregation or racism. My dad was a Marine and the Marines were color blind. We were united by the color of our blood… it was American Red.

The recent racially motivated violence in Charlottesville I’m reminded by Paul that the gospel removes every barrier that divides mankind. We are united by the blood of Jesus Christ. There is only one race of people… those who have been forgiven. Racism in all it’s form is demonic. It’s the worst form of legalism. It creates a two tiered system of first class people and second class people. In this case the whites are first class and everyone else is second class. The same system existed in Paul’s day between Jew and Gentile. So when Paul declares there is no Jew nor Greek… them was fightin’ words.

When we apply the words of Paul to current events, there is no question. The Spirit of God does not lead people to hate or hurt other people based on the color of their skin or the land of their birth. The Spirit of God is about redeeming all people from the curse of sin and death… including racism in all it’s forms. I am interceding for the City of Charlottesville. I am praying that God would deliver this city from the demonic stronghold that is seeking to gain public attention through this act of violence. I am praying that the Church in Charlottesville would rise up and unify under the banner of Jesus Christ. For they will know we are Christians by our love.