Churches today live in an era where silence is often mistaken for compassion and compromise is often passed off as love. Whether to avoid controversy or simply stay culturally relevant, many churches have become reluctant to plainly speak about sin. But restoration does not come through silence. It comes through truth. Racism and sexual sin should never be shrugged off as mere social issues or political talking points. They are spiritual injustices that attack God’s authority, obscure Scripture, and stain the Church. If the Church wants to be a place of restoration, then we must be willing to speak truthfully about what God calls sin while continuing to offer grace to every person.
Racism Belittles God’s Image
God created everyone in His image with inherent value, dignity, and purpose.
“So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.”
Genesis 1:27 (CSB)
Racism judges a person’s worth by the color of their skin or ethnicity rather than their creation in God’s image. That mindset is in direct opposition to Scripture. There is no superior race in the eyes of God.
“From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.”
Acts 17:26 (CSB)
Racism results in pride, hatred, and oppression—characteristics the Bible associates with spiritual death, not the fruits of the Spirit.
“Since God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
1 Corinthians 14:33 (CSB)
Christians cannot embrace racial inequality, segregation, or discrimination because the Gospel destroys the foundation of racism.
“There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:28 (CSB)
Sexual Sin Conceals God’s Definition
God defined marriage and sexuality from the beginning of time.
“Therefore a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
Genesis 2:24 (CSB)
Society today teaches individuals to choose their own identity and standards apart from God. The Bible says this rebellion against truth comes from Satan, not spiritual enlightenment.
“Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons.”
1 Timothy 4:1 (CSB)
Sexual sin is never described as a matter of preference in the Bible. When people turn away from God’s definition, sinful behavior occurs.
“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator… For this reason God delivered them over to disgraceful passions.”
Romans 1:25–26 (CSB)
Discussing racism or sexuality in the Church isn’t about attacking people. It’s about recognizing how sin destroys when we take God out of the equation.
Love Is Truthful
Many in the modern Church have bought into the lie that love means you have to affirm whatever decision a person makes. This idea is not found in Scripture.
“But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.”
Ephesians 4:15 (CSB)
Jesus loved people with a fierce compassion that overcame sin, but He never tolerated sin.
“Neither do I condemn you… Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”
John 8:11 (CSB)
Truth in love looks like speaking against sin while holding onto grace. Affirming someone in their sin may feel loving in the moment, but it does not set people free.
Self Over God
Sexual sin and racism are rooted in the same issue—a selfish rejection of God.
The racist says, “I get to decide who is valuable.”
The person living in sexual sin says, “I get to decide who I am.”
The Bible says,
“You are not your own, for you were bought at a price.”
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (CSB)
Both racism and sexual sin are spiritual conflicts because they worship self over God.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.”
Ephesians 6:12 (CSB)
Church, We Must Speak Truth
The Church should never pursue hating people, attacking our culture, or living in fear. But we will stand for truth.
“Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
Ephesians 5:11 (CSB)
Exposing the darkness looks like:
1. Loving every person no matter their sin
2. Never compromising sin to avoid cultural pressure
3. Calling everyone to repentance and restoration
The Gospel Provides Restoration
The Gospel is what enables the Church to shine a light on darkness. It doesn’t just expose— it transforms.
“And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
1 Corinthians 6:11 (CSB)
Restoration is possible. Racism can be healed. Sexual sin can be forgiven. Lives can be changed.
“So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.”
John 8:36 (CSB)
Closing
Church, will you speak truth or fall silent? Racism and sexual sin have ravaged the Church and destroyed culture because Christians have stopped representing Christ. Make no mistake, proclaiming truth is not out of hate, fear, or an appetite for condemnation. It’s out of love. Love that refuses to shrink back or lie about sinful patterns that destroy lives. Will you choose grace and truth? Will you allow God to use your voice to restore broken people and expose the lies that bind them? Restoration comes when we speak truthful love. Will you join us?
“Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve.”
Joshua 24:15 (CSB)
Thoughts from Pastor Toney 