Race Relations...continued

THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE

Bearing in mind that in the book of Psalms (5) it states that "the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein" we should take note that God is the ultimate global Landlord, and He owns its produce, the furniture and the tenants! All of them.

We are cautioned in the book of James (6) to refrain from cursing our fellow men, because they are made in the similitude of God. Seeing also that they are people for whom Christ died we are commanded to respect them.

We should also try to build bridges of friendship where possible; to pass the time of day with them or engage in friendly conversation and show a kindly spirit. In our town of Bedford we have a multi-racial society and scores of different languages are spoken. Some of the Christian ladies from time to time arrange an inter-cultural meal to which the various groups are invited. They sample one another's ethnic cuisine; English, Italian or Indian. A truly 'currysmatic' meeting to foster friendship. There are also things which we can learn from each other. How devout are some of them to their Faith, and how seriously they take their religious commitment, sometimes more earnestly than Christians do. Our friends from Africa and the West Indies who are enthusiastic in their worship,decorous in their bearing and liberal in their giving, and as for those who do not share our Faith they need not be regarded as a threat but rather as an opportunity to talk with them. Others who have no Faith and are desperately in need of the Saviour, they should be sensitively approached with the Gospel. How wonderful to think that their coming to our country could mean their salvation!