We have a responsibility to love people as God loves us. The issue of race and injustice goes back to the beginning of time. Jesus came to earth to deliver us from the sins of racism and injustice but somehow we took it back down off the cross to carry it again.

If we learn to love, racism dies. There is no other way. Today our nation is struggling with the challenges of race and injustice particularly towards African American people.

African American’s have suffered over the last 400 years. The brutality of slavery was not fit for an animal. But to keep things respectfully in perspective and demonstrating love for all people, let’s not forget the suffering of 6 million Jewish people who were massacred under Hitler’s regime.

Let’s not forget the Hispanic culture, including mestizos, indigenous and Afro-descended people from the country today known as Mexico, who explored North America almost a century before the British first founded Jamestown and yet was not credited for being the first.

Let’s not forget our Native American friends who was here first and lost their land and most of their existence as a people today. There are many other ethnic groups that have suffered and paid a price as well. Let’s not forget those who went before us and paid that price for us to have what we have today for free.

The manifestation of the color of a person’s skin has kept us in a place of hurt, fear and distrust. Yet the root of the matter is us not demonstrating love. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” – Matthew 22:39

Love will change the heart and how we see and view people. What’s happening all across our country today with lives being lost, what a great opportunity for communities, municipalities and church leaders to set the tone by coming together and healing our communities and cities.

We must come to a place of trust and be willing to build relationships with all people regardless of race, religion or creed. Who I am in Christ will not stop me personally from proclaiming Jesus as Lord, but it should also move me to love all people. Standing or kneeling for the National Anthem will not transform a city to love. A Republican or Democratic President in the White House will not transform a city to love. A divided church, building its own kingdom on earth will not transform a city to love. The lack of support for our police will not transform a city to love.

It will be the demonstration of love for all people that will transform a city. Weather you believe in God or not, it is the demonstration of love that brings life and transformation.

 “It’s not our fault that racism is sick, but it is our responsibility to make it well”. We can do that by loving people.

Let’s be courageous to have community conversations and build relationships to bring healing, restoration and love for all people for equality. Many gave their lives from the past for us to get it right for today and our future.