We Are Family!

 “Racism isn’t a bad habit; it’s not a mistake; it’s a sin. 

The answer is not sociology; it’s theology.” Tony Evans

 What are some of the memorable movies that you remember from childhood? A few that I will never forget were The Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music, Old Yeller and Brian’s Song. 

  If you’ve never seen it, Brian’s Song is based on the true story of a wonderful and what was then a nearly unheard of deep friendship between Chicago Bears running backs, Gale Sayers, who was black, and his fellow running back, Brian Piccolo, who was white.

  These two men met at pre-season training camp. During practice, Piccolo struggles while Sayers shines. Eventually, the two are placed as roommates, a rarity during the racial strife of the era. Sayers encourages Piccolo who is scared he didn't make the team, “if you didn't make the team, we wouldn't be placed together as roommates.”  

  Their friendship flourishes, both in football and in life, quickly extending to their wives, Joy Piccolo and Linda Sayers. Sayers quickly becomes a standout player but injures his knee in a game against the San Francisco 49ers. To aid in Sayers’s recovery, Piccolo brings a weight machine to his house. In Sayers’ place, Piccolo rushes for 160 yards in a 17–16 win over the Los Angeles Rams and is given the game ball. Ultimately, Piccolo wins the starting fullback position, meaning both he and Sayers will now be on the field together. Both men continue to excel in their roles.

  But then Piccolo unexplainably begins to lose weight and his performance declines. He’s sent to a hospital to determine the cause. The diagnosis reveals that he has cancer and must have part of a lung removed. In an emotional speech to his teammates, Sayers states that they will win the game for Piccolo and give him the game ball. When the Bears’ players later visit the hospital, Piccolo teases them about losing the game, laughing that the line in the old movie wasn’t, “Let’s blow one for the Gipper.”

  Tragically, Brian Piccolo’s cancer continues to grow and he must have another surgery. After Gale Sayers is awarded the “George S. Halas Most Courageous Player Award,” he dedicates his award to Piccolo, telling the crowd that they had selected the wrong person for the prize and saying, “I love Brian Piccolo, and I'd like all of you to love him, too. And tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.”

  Brian Piccolo succumbed to cancer at age 26. He’s remembered, not for how he died, but for how he lived. This friendship that crossed racial lines is a model for us all. Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers, though from different races, were closer than brothers. Their bond was football.

  You and I as Christ-followers have a much greater bond than football. We’re blood brothers and sisters because of Christ’s cross. Christ-followers have more in common with other believers than any other human bond, even that of family if our relatives are not believers.

  Our bond begins in that we all have the same problem – sin, yet all have the same Savior. Because of the cross, we will be united for all eternity. As heaven’s choir sang of Jesus, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). God wants unity and sacrifices His Son to heal human hatred and division.  

  Racism is a sin against God. The Bible tells us that we’re all Imago Dei, “made in the image of God” (Gen. 1:27). Pastor John Piper offers this definition of racism: “Racism is an explicit or implicit belief or practice that qualitatively distinguishes or values one race over other races.” Thus, racism is a sin whether it’s white toward black, or black toward white, Asian toward black, etc.

  Growing up in Atlanta I thought racism was a black-and-white problem. I was shocked when I worked in West Texas to learn that racism poisoned relationships between whites and Hispanics. While in Taiwan I learned that racism poisoned relationships between Taiwanese and immigrant Malaysians. Racism is a rampant cancer that permeates humanity.

  The only hope for conquering racism is the cross and the Church of Jesus Christ. Laws, education, government programs…the list is endless None of these can change sinful hearts to bring about repentance from racism or produce racial unity. Only redemption can bring about heart change so we obey God’s commands to love our neighbor as ourselves.  Jesus said that loving God is the greatest commandment, but then He said that the commandment to love your neighbor is like the first one.

  Jesus connected the command to love God and love your neighbor. One of the main ways that we demonstrate our love for God is by loving our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:37-40). Jesus went on to illustrate this love with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). We’re never to limit the idea of a neighbor only to people like us. We are to love all others without discrimination or prejudice. Everyone is my neighbor.

  Loving your neighbor whatever race they are from can begin with something as simple as a conversation, seeing life from their perspective, and truly seeing those around you. These conversations don’t have to be complicated. They can be as simple as inviting someone to lunch. Pursuing racial unity isn’t about diversity, it’s about loving others the way that Jesus loves them.

   Because Jesus died for all, racism is a sin against the gospel. The book of Romans tells us that we’re united not only by creation but also by the fact that we’re all sinners. But just as we’re all sinners, Jesus died for everyone. 1 John 2:2 says of Jesus: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” Racism is a sin against the gospel because Jesus died for all.  

  Racism is a sin against the gospel because Jesus died to make us one. Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Colossians 3:11, “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” These two New Testament verses were absolutely staggering in that day. Greeks and Jews were divided by ethnicity, religion, and culture. The reference to barbarians and Scythians refers to how cultured Romans and Greeks viewed anyone whose speech, manners or habits were foreign and to them uncouth and unrefined. Slave and free is a reference to the deepest divisions of class. Wonderfully, by God’s grace, family and unity, are the terms that replace these divisions.

  Today we’re privileged to have in our pulpit my friend and brother in Christ, Pastor Brian Kenner. To paraphrase, Gale Sayers, “I love Brian Kenner and I’m so glad that God loves both of us and gave Jesus for us.” I’m confident that my brother, Brian, will be a blessing to you today!

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.