{"id":103605,"date":"2020-12-07T14:45:51","date_gmt":"2020-12-07T21:45:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/?p=103605"},"modified":"2025-02-12T14:35:57","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T19:35:57","slug":"learning-to-love-all-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/articles\/topics\/life-issues\/challenges\/cultural-issues\/learning-to-love-all-people\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning to Love All People"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When my husband\u2019s job was transferred to Arkansas, the idea of moving our family to the South\u2014with its painful history and reputation of racism\u2014was frightening. We had always lived in racially diverse areas in our home state of California and braced ourselves for culture shock.<\/p>\n

From the day we arrived in \u201cThe Natural State,\u201d some of our most welcoming neighbors were young White children. Our youngest daughters, ages 6 and 3, made friends immediately. And for years, the children played together, built things together, shared birthday celebrations, had sleepovers, and often rode to school together.<\/p>\n

Most young children do not regard outward appearances the way adults do, or give credence to stereotypes. Generally speaking, they accept and lovingly embrace people who are different from themselves without reservation.<\/p>\n

Sometimes I wonder if that\u2019s one of the reasons Jesus said, \u201cTruly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven\u201d (Matthew 18:3).<\/p>\n

We live what we learn<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Children are not born with prejudices or biases. Those negative viewpoints, attitudes, and beliefs are learned. Sadly, one day, one of those loving, accepting neighborhood children grew up and called our youngest daughter, whom he once loved, the N-word. It was jarring, deeply hurtful, and heartbreaking. Their friendship was shattered.<\/p>\n

I was reminded of the poem \u201cChildren Learn What They Live,\u201d written by Dorothy Law Nolte in 1954, which speaks to the powerful influence a child\u2019s environment has on the way he or she treats other people. It states, for instance, that \u201cIf children live with acceptance, they learn to love.\u201d[1] Likewise, if children live with bigotry, they learn to hate.<\/p>\n

This learning has been passed down in America for generations, resulting in racial discrimination, indifference, and division . . . even in the church. Sunday mornings at 11 o\u2019clock is known as the most segregated hour in American life. And yet, God calls His people to live in unity with one another. Jesus prayed that we would all be one as He and the Father are one (see John 17:21<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Unlearning to live<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I\u2019ll never forget the shock and horror I felt in the fifth grade when I learned that because of the color of my skin I am viewed in America as less than, inferior, and even hated. It was critically damaging to my young heart and soul. The effects of this racial trauma lasted for years.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, as a follower of Christ, I unlearned racist ideologies and am learning to live according to God\u2019s values and truth. My eyes were opened and my life transformed when I learned in Psalm 139:14<\/a>, that I am \u201cfearfully and wonderfully made\u201d by God and am His image bearer. This truth set me free to value the beautiful, unique way in which God made me and gifted me, brown skin and all.<\/p>\n

Though if I\u2019m honest, there are times when racially offensive interactions and experiences occur, and I have to be reminded my value and worth is in Christ, and in who God says I am, rather than how society tries to label me. I\u2019m also reminded the same is true about those who do not look like me, even when they\u2019re acting unlovable.<\/p>\n

Isn\u2019t it encouraging to know that no matter what we\u2019ve learned that has led us to value some and devalue others, there is hope? With God\u2019s help and transformational power in our lives, we can unlearn sinful attitudes and beliefs, and learn ALL people are equally worthy of His love . . . and<\/em> ours.<\/p>\n

Additionally, we can learn to love the way God does, without partiality. As Peter said in Acts 10:34-35, \u201cTruly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

You might be wondering, How can I unlearn what I was taught and have believed for so long? How can I learn to accept and embrace people who are different from me? And where do I even start?<\/em> A great starting place for understanding God\u2019s values is His word.<\/p>\n

Here are some biblical truths that emphasize the value of all people.<\/p>\n

God created the entire human race<\/strong><\/p>\n

Though we are a diversity of tribes, nations, languages, and families, we are one<\/em> race with one<\/em> common ancestor. The Bible says, \u201cHe himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth\u201d (Acts 17:25-26). And every man, woman, and child was created in the image of God (see Genesis 1:27<\/a>). As a Black woman, I am made in God\u2019s very image. And so are you, whatever your hue. God is the author of diversity, and called everything He made good<\/em> (see Genesis 1:31<\/a>).<\/p>\n

God loves all people equally.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus didn\u2019t come into the world to die for only one racial or ethnic group. He gave His life for ALL<\/em>. The Bible tells us, \u201cHe is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world\u201d (1 John 2:2). God paid the ultimate price of His own Son\u2019s life to ransom people\u2014like me and you\u2014for Himself \u201cfrom every tribe and language and people and nation\u201d (Revelation 5:9).<\/p>\n

God is love.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Any form of hatred, bigotry, feelings of superiority, or indifference toward others is sin. Hate is a complete contradiction of God\u2019s character and hinders one\u2019s ability to even know Him. First John 4:7-8 says, \u201cBeloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.\u201d
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Get rest for your weary soul. Download Unshaken<\/em> today.<\/i><\/span> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div><\/p>\n

Walking in His love<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Armed with these truths, and with a posture of humility, here are five ways to begin to walk in accordance with God\u2019s values and love without partiality:<\/p>\n

1. Ask God to change your heart.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You may be thinking, \u201cBut I wasn\u2019t raised to be a racist.\u201d Or \u201cI don\u2019t have racist tendencies; I have Black friends.\u201d The truth is, we all have biases\u2014some conscious, some unconscious (see Jeremiah 17:9-10<\/a>). These biases are the result of living in a sinful, fallen world. We all share the need for a change of heart\u2014to repent of our sinful thoughts, attitudes, and ways.<\/p>\n

In my own experiences with racism and the resulting trauma and pain, there are times when I\u2019m not sure I\u2019m processing my feelings in a way that honors God. It is in those times, I know I need to do three things:<\/p>\n