As a nation we seem to be as polarized as ever. So many of us are looking for real solutions to solve today’s problems – one of the most egregious being racism.

As with many difficult problems that plague our world, the underlying issues, and subsequent solutions are hard to sort out. But as believers, what should a Christians’ response to racism be? Is systemic racism even real?

In order to frame a discussion about racism, we must first establish that if one truly claims to be a Christian, she must develop a framework about this issue not just based on “the Bible,” (as many pundits will cite verses to support her opinion), but she must base her response to racism on the revelation of the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Understanding spiritually what Christ accomplished on the cross is the only foundation from which a believer should interpret life’s problems. And this revelation will cause us to view every issue through a four step process of evaluating the CAUSE, the EFFECT, the SOLUTION, and the PERSONAL RESPONSE.

Racism is nothing more than hatred manifesting toward someone of a different race. Hatred reveals itself in us when we experience, or envision a sense of relief, or gratification at the thought of another human being no longer existing.

But where does hatred come from?

The two most prevailing viewpoints about the source of evil in man are: 1) There is no such thing a “source” of evil, or 2) the source of all evil, wickedness, and hatred is the unregenerate spirit in man. Those who hold to a biblical worldview refer to this option as, “original sin.” From a Christian perspective any evil perpetrated in this world has its genesis in the sin nature inherent within all humankind.

Now, because of his sinful nature, mankind bears fruit of this nature in all sorts of wickedness. Paul outlines many outcomes, or effects of the sin nature in Romans chapter one and beyond.

“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity…full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice… gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.”

-Romans 1:29-30

All of these actions, or outcomes of the sin nature are a result of what Paul calls, “suppress[ing] the truth” (Romans 1:18).

Understanding this premise regarding the source of hatred, or racism as it were, is crucial to develop biblical solutions to the problem. Unfortunately, incessantly studying the effects of sin, or legislating society into being “less racist,” can never produce the desired outcome of ending racism.

The reason for this is that hatred (as well as all of the manifestations of the sin nature) is a spiritual problem. Spiritual problems can only be solved by spiritual solutions. Therefore, what should be at the center of these solutions is God (who is spirit), including what he has “made plain” to us (Romans 1:19).

The ultimate solution, therefore, to removing the deadened spirit within man, and thereby removing the source of hate, is receiving an impartation of God’s love. This is precisely what happens whenever anyone chooses to identify with, or place his life in, Christ.

When love becomes the inward motivating force fueling one’s life, there is no need to legislate good behavior, or impose penalties on bad behavior, because love is now compelling that person to live godly.

Titus elucidates this activating force which produces godly living, (and which is present in all who believe,) in Titus 2:12.

He states,

“[Grace] teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives…”

The solution to every human problem, therefore is two-fold; 1.) Remove the spiritual source of evil (replacing it with the love of Christ); and 2.) Allow grace to teach people how to restrain themselves, thereby allowing their new nature to flourish.

This all leads us to the final, (and perhaps most important), step in a Christians’ response to combating evil in this world; establishing what your personal response to it will be.

Unfortunately, as Christians we often feel compelled to rush into this step, by jumping on the social-justice bandwagon, so that our friends and family know that we care about these issues. This is what results in a lot of Christians making noise, but never really engaging in anything meaningful to combat the problem.

If you’re a Christian, and you say you’re committed to ending suffering in this world, then the only meaningful and effective way you can get involved, is by helping people establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that leads to salvation. Remember, however, that Christ never gave us the mandate to end suffering in this world. He simply told us to make disciples. Ending suffering for one, is how we end suffering in the world.

Unfortunately, the mere thought of “making disciples” causes most Christians to chicken out, shrink back and say things like, “I just don’t know what to say.” (In fact, it was this same response Jesus’ inner circle exhibited before they received the full revelation of the resurrected Christ.)

Sadly, these responses are all simply excuses we cling to in an effort to escape persecution. After all, “What would people say if they knew I was really part of Jesus’ inner circle?” (Think: Peter before the rooster crowed.)

If you say you know the truth about the Messiah, but you’re not currently telling anyone outside of your inner circle about it, then you should question your seriousness about being a Christ follower.

Jesus did not come to save the Jews from the Romans. He did not try to convince the ruling elite to be more equitable and fair to those less fortunate. No, Christ came to defeat the real enemy of the people – Satan himself.

Jesus pulled back the curtain on the wicked lies and deception the profligate Satan perpetuated about God — the ones that kept people from truly knowing the heart of his Father. But he never did this in a mean-spirited, or belligerent way that blamed people for their sin condition.

Furthermore, Jesus was never angry or offended by someone’s ignorance or unwillingness to believe in what he said. Rather, he faithfully executed his mission, down to the very last detail, by dying to himself, painstakingly investing in others’ lives, and never hesitating to explain the Father’s plan of salvation to anyone who had ears to hear.

If we want to “end racism,” as a society, we have effectively entered the wrong battle, for as long as there are people in this world, they will find a reason to hate. In fact, they cannot help it, as it is their nature.

But if instead of trying to end evil, we focused our attention on adding people to God’s kingdom, we would find that his grace is quite capable of motivating people to not live according to their flesh, and causing his love to overflow to the world effortlessly.