Pastor Miles McPherson talks about how the devil has divided us, and shares how to end racial division through the third option that we have to come together.

"Our culture is telling you that you have to choose. Whether it's political, whether it's racial, you have to choose one or the other. Those are the two options the devil gives you. But there’s a third option."


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Notes:

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:13-15

• HONOR THE PRESENCE OF THE IMAGE OF GOD IN EVERYONE YOU SEE.

• IN-GROUP/OUT-GROUP: THE WAY WE SORT PEOPLE INTO GROUPS THAT ARE EITHER, “LIKE ME” OR “NOT LIKE ME,” CREATING “US” VS. “THEM”

• IN-GROUP BIAS: THE TENDENCY TO GIVE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO PEOPLE CONSIDERED “LIKE ME.”

• IN-GROUP BIAS

1. I am more comfortable with those “like me.”
2. I am more inclined to spend time socially with those “like me.”
3. I am more patient with those “like me.”
4. I give the benefit of the doubt quicker to those “like me.”
5. I express more grace when mistakes are made by those “like me.”
6. It is easier to communicate with those “like me.”
7. I assume that I will get along easier with those “like me.”
8. I am more willing to go out of my way to help those “like me.”
9. I possess more positive assumptions about those “like me.”

• OUT-GROUP DISCRIMINATION:
1. I am less comfortable with those “not like me.”
2. I am less inclined to spend time socially with those “not like me.”
3. I am less patient with those “not like me.”
4. I give the benefit of the doubt slower to those “not like me.”
5. I express less grace when mistakes are made by those “not like me.”
6. It is more difficult to communicate with those “not like me.”
7. I don’t assume you will get along with those “not like me.”
8. I am less willing to go out of my way to help those “not like me.”
9. I possess less positive assumptions about those “not like me.”

THE THIRD OPTION:

HONOR: PLACING A PRICELESS VALUE ON YOUR OUT-GROUP

1. RENAME ME AS YOUR “BROTHER” / “SISTER.”

2. GIVE “IN-GROUP” LOVE TO YOUR “OUT-GROUP.”

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-40

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 1 John 4:20

3. ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR “BROTHER’S” /”SISTER’S” COLOR.

4. GIVE YOUR HEART TO THOSE “NOT LIKE YOU!”

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