In America we live amidst a hotbed of racial tension. Racial equality is an illusion that is passed on to the American people as a reality when in fact the evidence suggests the contrary. Urban street gangs are banding together by race now more than by territory. White supremist groups are increasing in popularity and growing in numbers. On the West Coast, primarily in Los Angeles County, the predominately black street gangs are joining forces to fight the mexican gangs. Prisons are war zones where prisoners can freely express their hatred towards each other.  Ethnic communities are under attack by rival ethnic groups, yet we believe in a false sense of freedom. This same type of division is also in the church.

Even in the beginnings of the New Testament church there were divisions among the Christian Jews and the Greeks. Although the preceding verse speaks about Greeks in the synagogue. there were divisions amongst the racial and ethnic groups. We still see this today. I'm Puerto Rican so I attended a lot of Spanish churches. They discourage membership from "outsiders". I've been to a lot of predominately black churches and was readily accepted by many but the racial tension is still evident. I was a member of a white Southern Baptist Church in the middle of a Black community that kept me from participating in church activities. The members went out together and fellowshipped on thier own but never included me in any activities outside the church. I'm not griping brethren. I'm just telling it as it is, the way I have seen it. Somehow we need to tear down racial and ethnic, and social barriers within the church if we are going to flourish and grow. In heaven we are all going to bask in the Glory of God. Isn't it time we learned to get along here on earth? I mean there are even redneck churches. What the heck is that? A place where you won't see anyone of color. We need to bridge the gaps between the different groups or cliques within the church. God never intended for His Body of believers to be caught up in the bigotry and prejudice of the world system. I think this is the picture that God sees:

What kind of church do you see? Mychurch.org is a community of believers that fits the model for the body of Christ. There is a diversity of racial groups and ethnic cultures that are joined together electronically. The common thread between all the members of the body of Christ should be Jesus. If only this were a reality outside of the web.