John Piper writes,
Far more important in the long run than any particular strategy of racial reconciliation and harmony is that more and more Christians glory in the grace of the gospel of justification by faith alone. When we are thrilled by the unspeakable freedom of being right with God in spite of the magnitude of our sinful corruption—and that others of every race and ethnicity enjoy that same freedom with us—there will be a humility and a love and a zeal to magnify grace that dissolves ethnic hostilities.
Don't let fear ruin your joyful freedom in living and working and worshiping and relaxing and eating with brothers and sisters who are ethnically or racially different from you.
Or to put it positively, fall in love again with the gospel. Rejoice all over again that, even though your sin is great, you are justified by faith alone. And then wake up to the gospel truth that justification by faith alone means that this faith is the great, eternal unifier of all the peoples of the world who trust in Christ. (Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian, 176)
On Thursday November 3 several Christian leaders will gather in Minneapolis around the topic of the gospel and racial harmony. John Piper will speak on his book, Bloodlines, followed by an hour of Q&A.
In the Twin Cities?
If you are in the Twin Cities we'd love for you to join us at 6:00 PM (CDT). Register to attend this free event and learn more details through Here's Life Inner City.
Outside the Twin Cities?
If you're outside the Twin Cities, we invite your small groups and churches to watch the live-stream from 7:30–9:30 PM (EDT) and use it as an opportunity to talk about the issues of race and the gospel.
UPDATE: the video and audio of the message is forthcoming.
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Recent posts on Bloodlines —
- Why Every Tribe and Language and People and Nation?
- Overcoming the Sin of Racism
- Bloodlines Documentary
