From what I’ve witnessed on social media lately, there’s been less empathy and self-reflection and more defensiveness regarding the sin of racism. This grieves me.  As believers, we should know that the only one with the right to say “I’m superior. I’m better than you” is God. If anyone has the right to be offended by our presence, it is God. But what did He do?

The following excerpt is from The Happy Christian by David Murray, in which he tells the story of what happened in the checkout line at Walmart. He left this chapter to the end of the book because it may be the hardest for his readers. I appreciate his transparency because this is a hard confession to make:

“Wouldn’t it be much better if they weren’t here?
Yes, that’s the question that arose in my mind. Followed by: What right do they have to be here? Which suddenly provoked an inner dialogue:
Hey, you’re an immigrant yourself, Murray!
   Yes, but I’m not a Mexican immigrant.
   What’s the difference?
   Well, I’m white and speak proper English.
   So what? Does that make you better than them?
   Well, yes … I mean, no … I mean…”

“It was an unforgettable moment of painful self-discovery. I had to face the facts. I was prejudiced. Racist even. It had been there all along, but it was being exposed in all its hideous vile reality…”

“I was saying that my happiness would be increased if they weren’t here. Their being there at that time in that line was reducing my joy. If only I could get rid of them. I’d be a happier person. As I reflected on the horror of this self-discovery. I began to realize that the Walmart cashier’s checkout line had not just been a one-off. It revealed my worldview. It took one of my deepest presuppositions out of the ugly depths of my heart and mind, stripped it, exposed it: I’m better than you, and I’d be happier if you were not here or if you were more like me…”

“Have you ever had a Walmart moment? Have you ever recognized thoughts and attitudes that you wish you didn’t have, thoughts and attitudes about your superiority and another’s inferiority that you didn’t want anyone else to know?”

I hope you will consider Dr. Murray’s story. From what I’ve witnessed on social media lately, there’s been less empathy and self-reflection and more defensiveness regarding the sin of racism. This grieves me.  As believers, we should know that the only one with the right to say “I’m superior. I’m better than you” is God. If anyone has the right to be offended by our presence, it is God. But what did He do?

Even as judgment was pronounced in Genesis 3, so was the gospel – the promised seed of the woman. God patiently preserved a line of people and prepared the stage so that the Son incarnate could be our perfect savior. Jesus took our filth, sin, and vileness on Himself. He received the judgment and wrath we deserved. We received forgiveness, new life, and the perfect record of Christ’s righteousness. As God’s children, we have been showered with mercy upon mercy and grace upon grace when we did not deserve any of it.

Then why would we dare look at another image bearer, a brother or sister for whom Christ died, and think I’m better than you, and I’d be happier if you were not here or if you were more like me? If this sin is present in our lives, may the Holy Spirit convict and grant swift repentance.

The Happy Christian, David Murray, Nelson Books, 2015, pp. 196-197.

Persis Lorenti is an ordinary Christian. You can find her at Tried With Fire and Out of the Ordinary. This article appeared on her blog and is used with permission.