Black Lives Do Matter!

Can anyone in their right mind doubt that statement? Of course, black lives matter ... as much as any other type of person in this whole wide world! The Almighty God has woven into their being a worth, a dignity, and a beauty equal to that of every other person in God’s creation. The first chapter of the Bible states, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.  They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth. So, God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.” Genesis 1:27 Each and every black person carries the personal imprint of an ever-wise and ever- skillful Creator, showing they are clearly made in His very likeness! Black lives are a testimony to the fact that a great God does exist...that He wonderfully made all things, that He made all races of people, and that every individual, with all their unique qualities, are a reflection of Him! All the people groups, no matter the color of their skin, have qualities that reveal the amazing person of God.

This “image” of God in us, the “likeness” of our heavenly Father in each of us, is what makes murder so evil. To destroy the life of any other person is a striking out at God Himself. It is a slap in His face. God takes murder personally. That is why He said to Noah after the great Flood that covered the whole earth, “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans his blood will be shed, for God made humans in his image.” Genesis 9:6 To murder another person is not only sinful, but God says it is worthy of capital punishment! In other words, black lives matter so much that if you kill a black person (or any other person), you have to forfeit your own life!

The Apostle Paul said it this way ... “The God who made the world and everything in It — he is Lord of heaven and earth — does not live in buildings made by hands. Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” Acts 17:14,26-27 God’s Word is saying that the same God made us all – all races of people, no matter the color of our skin. Only the infinite God could have made it all … us all. He has determined where we would be born and to which parents ... and the color of our skin. God did that! He did that so people would reach out to Him and find Him and serve Him. We are humbled to realize that no race, no people group, is more important or more valuable than another.  And no race of people deserves more respect or justice than any other. God has made us all to love one another even as He has loved us all.

God’s Word goes on to say, “Since, we are God’s offspring (and all of us are!) we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art or imagination. Therefore, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:29-31 It is important to get this right! The God who has made every one of us is going to have a day when He will judge us all. His Son Jesus Christ will sit on the judgment throne and conduct that worldwide judgment. He and He alone will determine who is in a right relationship with Almighty God and who is not. It will be a totally just judgment and no one’s outcome will be set by the color of their skin. In that judgment, there will be no white privilege, and there will be no black privilege. Only those who have repented of their sins and have been saved from the guilt and condemnation of their sins will be ushered into the heaven of God. Have you been saved from the guilt and power of your sins?

I am an older white guy who lives in west Atlanta, next to Washington Park, and on the edge of the famous BLUFF. I love my African American neighbors and friends. I want you to know that I support you, your families, and all black people everywhere as my equals and my fellow creations from the hand of an all-wise and all-good Creator who knew exactly what He was doing when He created various races of men. Every race is beautiful. Black is beautiful! You are beautiful, and worthy to be held up as the workmanship of an all-skillful Creator. I so want you to be ready to meet Him!

If you desire help in understanding how you can be in a right relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, please do contact us: 

Bob or Cathi at 864-640-6925 /// Cornerstone Church /// 1303 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta /// http://cornerstoneatl.org/