It was such a tragic shock to hear about The Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church, a small church in Kentucky, voting to ban interracial couples from church services or functions, with the exception of funerals. It’s so unfortunate that although some members in the congregation did not support this ban, the message resonated loud and clear among Christians around the world who were aghast by the type of racism that continues to be prevalent in our society. However, bringing this poison inside of the church is alarming, although not surprising.
Somehow many Bible toting “Christians” manage to blot out and ignore critical mandates outlined and explained in the Bible, that we are charged to do and uphold. What happened to the voices of the Christians who sit in the corner and say nothing? I remember reading a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. that states: “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”
When I think about the letters that John wrote to the seven churches, there were a number of things he warned these churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea) what they needed to correct, that was out of step with God. Although this is an extremely small church, this sad message resonates among the masses of Christians, non-Christians and agnostics who think it’s hard to prove whether or not God even exists. This message of racism is only one of the many atrocities that’s occurring in churches everywhere, which is ultimately chipping away and trying to destroy the foundation of our Christian belief system and existence.
How can we expect to win, if we continue to keep our mouths closed when we really need to take a stand and speak righteousness? Fortunately, as of this morning the new Pastor of Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church announced that this vote was null and void. Let’s hope and pray that all parties involved will fall to their knees, pray, forgive and overcome such tragedy. Although this small church attracted a lot of attention regarding this matter, this should make all of us take a look at what we do and say, how we behave and respond. Sadly, racism isn’t the only problem we have in our churches! Obedience holds the key!
“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” - Revelation 1:3
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