Jesus Doesn’t Live In Your Neighborhood

Jesus Doesn’t Live In Your Neighborhood February 26, 2017

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Pixaby

 

“I ain’t racist or nothing, I just had to get away from all the crime.” Of course, when anyone says they’re not racist…they are. Curious of the man’s thinking, I enquired further, “Are you sure that’s what it’s all about?” “Well, I also felt like I’d be a better witness for Jesus if I lived in a mostly white neighborhood. White folk just connect better with white folk…you know?” “No, I don’t know.” The conversation was very illustrative of the excuses that people make to mask their racism. The man felt comfortable talking to me. He thought my whiteness made him safe. In the end, he figured out he wasn’t, “Honestly my friend, there ain’t no sense in doing any witnessing…Jesus don’t live in your neighborhood. You left him back in your old neighborhood.”

 

There are grave spiritual consequences connected to our flights from people of oppressed people. Jesus lives with the poor. Jesus lives with the hungry. Jesus lives with the othered. Jesus lives with the marginalized. Jesus inhabits the neighborhoods infested with crime. Jesus lives in the communties infested with drugs. Jesus is surrounded by prostitution. In the midst of a troubled world, the truth is very simple. If you don’t live in these types of places, then Jesus doesn’t live in your neighborhood. For those who follow Jesus, let me make something very clear. We will stand before Jesus. I would hate for Jesus to say to you, “How are you going to claim me? I never knew you. You didn’t live in my neighborhood.”

 

Amen.


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