where Do The Various Races Come From?

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Where Do The Races Come From?

Human "races" are a human construct. God did not create races. He created all of humanity the same... in His image. All of us are related. We all come from Adam and Eve, and Noah and Mrs. Noah are the great, great, great... grandparents of us all. We are all one family.

"Race" is based on physical features, most often skin color and facial features, but also a person's the geographical origin. These are all superficial. You, everyone reading this, are made in the image of God. That's what makes you important. That's what makes you special. That's what makes you unique. You are not an animal. You are an image bearer... God's representative here on earth. And that's why God (Jesus Christ) gave Himself to die on the cross to save you. He didn't do that for dogs, or cats, or monkeys... He died for you, because you are important and special. He died for you because you are made in His image.

Being made in the image of God does not mean we physically look like God. It also does not mean we are gods ourselves. Being made in the image of God means we have some of the nature and invisible characteristics of God. We have intelligence and a free will. We are creative, we enjoy art and nature, we love, we can show mercy, and we have compassion. We understand and desire justice. No animal sets up a court system to bring justice to other animals...only humans. Why? Because only humans are made in the image of God.

Being made in the image of God means we have responsibilities. We are to think and act the way God thinks and acts. We are to have the character of God. For example, the Ten Commandments are not arbitrary rules, they define the character of God. They are called God's laws because, as God's image bearers they describe how we are to act. As God image bearers we are His representatives showing the universe who He is. When we violate one of the Ten Commandments, we represent God has violating that commandment. When we tell a lie, we represent God as a liar. When we take something that does not belong to us, we represent God as a thief. That's why sin (disobeying God - aka breaking God's laws) is so bad.

And when we violate God's character, there are consequences. We are telling the world, and God, "I AM NOT like you! I reject you God! I will go my own way, instead of doing as I should and representing you correctly."

What are the consequences? Complete and total separation from God. We have until the moment we die to change our minds. To repent (turn away from disobedience and toward obeying God), and trust that God (Jesus Christ) has paid our penalty in full for all the times we have disobeyed God. If we die without repenting and trusting Jesus, we receive justice... total separation from God. Some people say, "That doesn't sound so bad. I'll be with my friends. We can drink and play cards all night." That won't happen. God is the source of EVERTHING that is good. If you are separated from God, you have nothing good. NOTHING. No friends. No drinking... not even water. If it is good in any way, you won't have it. Light is good. There will be no light. To be free from pain is good. You will be in pain. To have water when you are thirsty is good. There will be no water. Nothing that is good exists in hell. NOTHING. Those are the consequences. It is called the second death (Revelation 21:8)

But the Bible says God is love. God forgives. So we conclude, He wouldn't do that to someone He loves! Yes, God is love... and mercy... and full of grace. And He does not want you to spent eternity separated from Him... separated from everything that is good. But, God is also just. You broke the law. The penalty MUST be paid.

God's Loving Solution

What God has done is to take on Himself the consequences you deserve. When on the cross He cried out, "My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me!" Jesus Christ was experiencing the just consequences for your having disobeyed God. Jesus paid the penalty you earned for breaking God's law. Now you have a choice. You can believe this is true. Repent (turn away from disobeying God), and trust that Jesus did fully pay your penalty for sin. He paid it all. There is nothing you can do but throw yourself on the mercy of God. Do that today.

Physically we are all one race. We are all human beings created in the image of God. But we are also two races... those who are trusting Jesus Christ to save them (children of God), and those who trust themselves to be good enough (children of Satan - JOhn 8:44). Which are you?