God loves us. Why can’t we love each other?
All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. 16We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:15 – 18
George Floyd. His name is being remembered by his grieving heartbroken family and friends but also by millions across our land. His horrific murder has angered and wrenched the hearts of all decent Americans. George Floyd’s name will be remembered not only at his funeral by his grieving loved ones, but in the years ahead by all of us as someone who was wrongly killed for the color of his skin.
We see the very risks that come with being black in a country that has sought to end racism and discrimination. Why is it that we have individuals and institutions that denigrate the value of those who have a different color or cultural background or ethnic origin? We are confronted with the evil of the human heart separated from God, a God who values all human beings and sees all humanity as equal.
We know George Floyd’s name and even more importantly God knows his name. God knows all our names. One of the challenges I have in our ministry at Circle City Dinner Church is getting to know the names of those who attend. I’m not always good at remembering names. Knowing a person’s name is important. Calling a person by name conveys the value and dignity of the person. When we take prayer requests, we ask for their name so that we can pray for them by name.
George Floyd was a man made in the image of God and loved by God. His life has infinite value in God’s sight. Every human being, regardless of their skin color, is so loved by God that he would send his Son to die on the cross for their salvation. No other religion or human philosophy has at its core the belief “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son…” And if God has such a great love for all human beings, should not we also? Should not we see the dignity of all people? Should not we stand for justice for all people. Certainly, as followers of Christ we should seek to love all people and to uphold equal justice for all people.
Sharing God’s love to all people regardless of who they are is a major part of our mission at Circle City Dinner Church. We minister to a racially diverse community and a great variety of people from all backgrounds. Our Mission Statement has these words – “Embrace people from all cultural backgrounds and races.” We want that to be more than just words. Your support for our ministry enables that to be more than words. With your help we welcome all people and extend God’s unconditional love to all through the services and meals we give to all who come to Circle City Dinner Church. Together we can witness to the all-encompassing love of Jesus Christ and build a multi-racial community of love.
May God’s Peace be with you,
Pastor Jim and Debby Riley