The Situation
I recently found myself providing a particular service to a group of people in a multicultural setting. After going about my duties I was approached by an African American woman who insisted I was showing preference to “the White Folk” over her when performing this service.
It was like an Acts 6:1 complaint, but only in reverse.
At first I thought I was on candid camera, or a friend was playing a joke on me. But when I saw that she was serious, and that she genuinely thought I was being intentional in what she though I was doing (showing preference to a “white person” over my own “a black person”), my heart melted.
I apologized profusely and made every effort to correct what was considered a slight against her. But she would have none of it, and rebuffed any attempts that I made to correct the situation.
The whole incident left me reeling.
The Problem
I have often considered myself to be among the least prejudiced group of people on the planet – almost to a fault. As a black man, I have always championed the cause of those who have been discriminated against based on the color of their skin. I have supported other minorities in their cause against racial profiling and discrimination. To an extent, and to the ire of some friends and relatives, I have been sympathetic to the homosexual and Muslim communities concerning some of the more overt and baseless forms of discrimination.
Does this mean that I am somehow immune to racist tendencies or cannot exhibit these tendencies from time to time?
No…of course it doesn’t. But what it does indicate is my desire to take seriously God’s justice and His defense of those who are being treated unjustly based on a certain criterion that is unfairly applied. More specifically, it indicates my desire to take seriously the equity of the gospel message both in faith and practice.
Perhaps it is this last point, my desire to reflect the same impartiality on others that God lavished on me through his son Jesus Christ (Acts 10:34-35), that has left me reeling. For me, this incident wasn’t so much an issue of race as it was an issue of the gospel.
In some way, shape, or form, my actions communicated a behavior that is completely antithetical to the gospel message. As I have come to understand through this incident, even the appearance of gospel inequity can taint and harm the message of equity found in Christ.
But how are we to navigate through such muddied waters? How can we as God’s people strive for impartiality and gospel equality in an age where the issue of race and racism is still a living reality for so many?
The Solution
The epistle of James gives us several much needed reminders about the issue of showing partiality. While James’ exhortation was given within the narrow context of the church, addressing specifically the issue of how the poor were treated in the church, the principles can and must be broadened to encompass all areas of life.
First, James 2:1-13 suggests that all partiality is sin and goes against the essence of the gospel. Let’s pretend for a minute I had shown preference to the lady who accused me of showing preference elsewhere. In other words, what if I had heaped my time and effort on the “black folk” because I am black, and neglected the “white folk” because they were white.
Would the same brown skinned sister point out the favoritism I was showing her and insist that I be equal in my treatment toward all present? Would she demand justice for others? These questions strike us to our core because, if truth be known, we love to seek justice and impartially for ourselves, but not for others; especially toward those we see as the oppressors or the privileged.
But James makes it clear that when we show partiality to one over another for any reason, we go against the faith we hold in Christ – we go against the gospel (James 2:9).
Second, James 2:1-13 reveals our sinful way of thinking. Let’s pretend that my actions were perceived as fair and equitable to all concerned, both white and black, except this one person. In this case, she felt that she was being left out solely because she was black, but nobody else felt that way.
Although this is a hypothetical scenario, this happens more often than anyone cares to admit. If someone who is white disagrees with a black person or treats them differently, the default at times is to assume that the white person is a racist, not considering for a moment that something else may be the issue. As our sinful nature often reveals to us, it is sometimes easier to think the worst than it is to address the issue at hand.
James calls us out by saying that we “judge by evil thoughts” (James 2:4). Instead of always assuming the worst, James calls us to love our neighbor (James 2:8). Loving our neighbor in this context would be giving him the benefit of the doubt. Now, it may come to light that this neighbor disliked you based exclusively on the color of your skin, but that shouldn’t be your starting point. Your starting point is love, not suspicion.
Third, James 2:1-13 is a call to reconciliation. Let’s play the pretend game one more time. Let’s pretend that my actions were an egregious form of racism (which they were not) in which I showed preference to my Caucasian brothers and sisters over my brown skin brothers and sisters.
What should be done?
The fleshy response would be to get angry and lash out against the abuse, but this response doesn’t address the issue biblical nor does it seek reconciliation.
James gives us the spirit-filled response to this scenario – show MERCY (James 2:13). The reason why the concept of showing mercy seems CRAZY in this situation is because it is a heavenly response.
Why should we show mercy to people who treat us with partiality?
Because Mercy triumphs over Judgment (James 2:13)! The equity of the Gospel triumphs over the partiality of man.
The conclusion of the matter
The nature of the gospel demands that we treat all of God’s people equally and fairly. It also demands that we ourselves think that others will do the same. The Gospel’s equity is plain to see and all of God’s people benefit from this Christian grace. James challenges us to lay aside our prejudices and lay hold of the faith which is in Christ.
Anyone that has been discriminated against knows that it takes faith to believe the best and not the worst. It takes faith to remain impartial. It takes faith to seek justice for others. This is why faith is so vital to the Christian experience; this is why, without faith, it is impossible to please God; this is why we are encouraged to walk by faith and not be sight.
Hello. I really appreciated this post. Thanks so much! So many times we can get caught up with what we perceive as injustice being done to us, when, isn’t it just as unjust to the other person to believe the worst about them and render them guilty?
Brother, thank you for your transparency in how you wrestled with this.
There is so much that can be discussed in regards to race relations in multicultural congregations but I really wanted to commend you for laying out a
pattern of selflessness in how you attempted to reconcile to this sister and in
thinking through ways in which we can check our partialities at the door and love
one another.
Amen - to your step to respond to the emotion of the offended. This is an excellent example of what it means to love. Even if that person is totally wrong in what they accused you of, it is helpful to initiate reconciliation by immediately apologizing for what they perceived and how they felt. Often, we are quick to defend our good intentions when another is mistakenly offended by them. To immediately shift the focus to defending our good intentions without an apology is selfish (a bit prideful too) and it may inculcate in the offended the emotional effects of our alleged offense. This,
we should seek to nip in the bud. Maybe it is easier said than done, but by the
Spirit, it can be done.
Of course, talking through the specifics in order to gain understanding is important and, hopefully, it will edify the person who judged wrongly as they begin to see that their “starting point should be love, not suspicion.” Learning to love one another is how we grow in grace – sanctification for all parties involved. I pray to this end for you and the sister you mentioned. Thanks again for this edifying and challenging article.
I have to agree with pduggie. Why, and you aren’t required to elaborate, did you “apologize profusely” and why wouldn’t she accept your apology?
I will not mitigate the Spirit’s work in you but James is not dealing in perception but reality. Based on the limited information, you are responding to her perception.
There is a disconnect between the situation as it is given and this specific application of the Gospel regarding partiality.
That being said, I’m with you. In my hyper vigilance I find myself offensive in my reaction to offense.
I apologized profusely based on my philosophy of reconciliation - which is to address the emotional concerns of the offended party first, before attempting to correct any misunderstandings.
As to why she didn’t accept my apology, I do not know. It has been my experience in ministry that folks have a hard time letting go of realities that have come to define in so many ways who they have chosen to be.
I am not sure that I am fully on board with the statement that James is not dealing with perception, but rather reality. Although it is overused and often misunderstood, there is a sense in which perception is reality. To the one perceiving, it is there reality. We could be dismissive and say it doesn’t matter what they perceive, but this opens the door for us to not take seriously the concerns of others.
One last point, the issue of perception is within the purview of James chapter 2. The specific connection that I was aiming for was to show that we often seek equality and justice for ourselves, but rarely for others. James addresses this situation by reminding his readers of the summation of the law - love your neighbor as yourself (James 2:8).
Continue to dialogue, I love where this is going!!!
“In some way, shape, or form, my actions communicated a behavior that is completely antithetical to the gospel message”
But so far, you haven’t been able to identify what. Is it really on you, or on her? Can’t she just be flat out mistaken?
Thank you for your question…the “what” you are searching for does not have to be concrete, but rather perceived. Whether she was “flat out mistaken” or not is irrelevant, my goal was to address her concerns and then demonstrate how those concerns are addressed from a biblical perspective.