(Acts 17:26)  “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;”

The definition of racism is:

“A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others” (Dictionary.Com)

“A belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race” (Webster’s Dict)

The Apostle Paul in Acts 17:26 was defining to the Philosophers of Athens, who their unknown god was that they were worshipping. The first thought that Paul gave the philosophers of Athens to consider was that the god that they were worshipping was not just any other god dreamed up in the mind of men, but He was the only true and living God (Jehovah of the Old Testament and Jesus Christ of the New Testament). As such He was the Creator of all things (Acts 17:24) and the Giver of all life (Acts 17:25). Secondly, He had created all men from one man (Adam) (Acts 17:26a). Thirdly, He was the Controller of His creation (Acts 17:26b). Then Paul proceeded to give many other facts to identify the True and Living God, and to show (or prove) that this God was Jesus, God in the flesh.

However, in this devotion, the primary thought is in answering the title question, Why Racism? The answer is found in Acts 17:26a. The color of one’s skin; the physical characteristics of one race compared to another race; where they live; where they work; how much education they have; etc. have nothing to do with answering the title question, Why Racism?

The answers to this question are multiple. However, there are three major points that must be brought to light. Racism is brought on by:

1) Pride

First, every human being came from Adam and Eve, God’s first creation of human beings as recorded in the Book of Genesis. So, the origin of man is from the same source, and this makes all men on level ground. Second, God is the Creator of every human being. He is responsible for all of their characteristics. He is the Author of conception in the womb and no man knows how the bones do grow in the womb. (Jn. 1:3) “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (Ecc.11:5)  “As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.” Christ is life and He alone can and does give life, both physical and spiritual; (Joh 1:4) “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (Also see Jer. 13:23; Mt. 6:27.) Third, God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11), meaning God’s eternal Plan of Grace was not founded upon race, etc.; but, solely upon His own good pleasure. Man’s pride is the first ingredient to racism, and must be dealt with by coming to see God is the Creator, and not yourself. God does not deal with man on the basis of gender or race or color; but, upon His own Will and Purpose. Understanding this will eliminate pride from thinking you are superior to another person.

2) Man thinks he is in Control:

The next major point, or ingredient, of racism that must be recognized is that you are not in charge of your bounds; that is, where you live, how long you live, or anything else; for God is the Controller of His creation and not any man, (v-26b), and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.” The problem in racism is not only who we think we are; but also, racism  says, where we live is better than some other races. God is in charge of our days on this earth, our months, and our bounds (or where we live) (Job 14:5) “Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass.” To identify racism and to eradicate it from within; a man must identify that he is walking in the “pride of life” when he elevates himself above any other person. He must come to acknowledge that it is God who made him, and it is God that is in control of his life; and not any merits of his own.

3) Because of Hate:

The next ingredient is to acknowledge that racism comes from hate and not from the Love of God. However, to acknowledge this fact you will have to have received the Love of God in your heart (1 Cor. 4:7). The Love of God being shed aboard in the heart is a work of God and not of man (Rom. 5:5). When this happens by the work of the Holy Spirit of God in regeneration; then, you will love God and desire to keep His commandments (Jn. 14:15; I Jn. 3:11-24; I Jn. 4:7-21); you will love as Christ loved, (Joh 13:34-35) “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  (35) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”  When love reigns supreme; then, racism will be gone.

Racism cannot be erased or eradicated or be gone out of a man’s heart by the legislation of a law constructed and passed by the legislative body of any human government; or by a public forum; or by human reasoning or philosophy; no, nothing can change racism and cure it once and for all until Christ comes to live in the man. Once, the grace of God invades a person’s heart (spirit); then and only then will racism disappear from that person’s spirit. Racism is hate; and hate and love cannot live in the same spirit. God is love and if God lives in you; then hate must go: for bitter and sweet water cannot come out of the same source of water (Jas.3:9-18).

Society is looking in all the wrong places for a solution to the division among the races of people. The only answer to the problem of racism is submission to the Commandments of Love set forth in the Written Word of God. The answer is easy and very simple; and yet the smartest of the politicians and of the psychologists have not the answer; for they are looking in the wrong book. The Bible has the only Answer, and His Name is Jesus Christ. The only level ground for the races is at the Cross and in the Body of Christ, the Church; where God is no respecter of persons; where there is no male or female, bond or free, Jew or Greek; but where all are one in Christ (Gal. 3:28). Let the church denounce racism by the example of walking as He (Jesus) walked; and that walk must be in love.