Diversity Download: divers.pdf (36KB) Complete Tract Listing Next Related Tract: Creation Politics .pdf files - Printing - Hint on printing this double-sided tract: print one side then rotate the page 180 degrees to print the other side.

Diversity is a gift from God. All people have descended from one man and woman, Adam and Eve who were created in God's image.¹

So if this is the case, why do we have racism? All flawed (horizontal) relationships between people occur because of a flawed (vertical) relationship with God. Diversity awareness activities are good but these only addresses the symptoms of the problem and will eventually fail. The only true cure for racism is a right relationship with God.

The problem of racism springs from basic human selfishness. It is human nature to be selfish. This is obvious in the behavior of children. Parents do not teach children to behave selfishly, instead, they must be taught not to be selfish. People learn not to act selfishly but this again only treats the symptoms since their underlying motive is still selfish. Doing good things to earn respect from others or avoid consequences for not doing good are selfish motives.

Likewise, the world views love as a feeling that results from a mutual exchange: one person loves another to receive their love in return. This kind of give and take love is selfishly motivated. Selfishness is putting self before God which is sin.² Everyone has this problem, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." ³ Sin gives us a flawed relationship with God and, if not dealt with, keeps us from eternal life, "for the wages of sin is death."⁴ This death is spiritual death also called the "second death" in the Bible.⁵

However, people do not have to remain in their condemned condition if they accept the provision God made for them to enter into a relationship with Him. God Himself took on the form of one of His creations coming as Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for the sins of those who respond to His love. "For God so loved the world that He gave Hs only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." ⁶

When Jesus died for sinful humankind, God demonstrated a higher form of love. God’s love is sacrificial, not expecting anything in return. We can’t do anything to earn God’s love but we can respond to the love He has already shown us by believing Him. "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." ⁷

God has already made all the overtures necessary for people created in His image1 to have a relationship with Him⁸. The ball is in our court if the relationship is to happen. Once a person enters into a proper relationship with God through Jesus,⁹ they understand His love¹⁰ and, "are taught by God to love one another." ¹¹

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" ¹²

Notes:

1 Genesis 1:27		5 Revelation 21:8		9 John 14:6
2 Exodus 20:3		6 John 3:16		10 1 Corinthians 2:14
3 Romans 3:23		7 Romans 10:9		11 1 Thessalonians 4:9
4 Romans 6:23		8 1 John 4:19		12 Psalm 34:8