For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Ian Cowan
There are no "black" or "white" people anywhere in the world! Look around - we are all brown (differing shades, depending on the amount of melanin in our skin). There is only one "race" - the human race (Acts 17 v 26). These words are secular/worldly in origin - Christians should beware of using them!
Leo Flood
God does everything for a purpose and most fleshly men, meaning women and women, do not understand. If we study the Bible we will see the reasoning for the color of our skins. Let's return to the Tower of Babel; at this point in time men wanted to build a tower to the Heavens, but god did not want this so He came down and confused the languages so people could not communicate instructions; next He scattered men to all parts of this world. In doing this, He made sure that we were capable of adapting to the environment that He sent us; some had to , have darker skins to survive in a hot climate; some had to have lighter skins to survive in colder climate and so far and so on. Skin color should not matter when it comes to being a child of God; love is the key.
Darrell McKnight
With all due respect to this persons question the Bible should not be read motivated by ethnicity. The Bible is not a book of philosophy although it is philosophical. The Bible isn't a science book though it contains scientific facts. The Bible isn't a history book but is accurate when recording history. The Bible is a spiritual book and is as high above all other books as the heavens are above the earth. The Bible was given to man from God revealing Jesus Christ. He is the center and circumference of these writings from the beginning to the end the Alpha/Omega! Do not and I repeat do not read the Bible like a natural book! Pray the Holy Spirit guide you into all truth because that's what He does.
Darrell McKnight
As Christians it is imperative that we look at creation through spiritual vision and not worldly eyes! We must possess a spiritual heart because God is worshipped in "spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). We must become blind to the worlds view even though we live in it. It is a life that God requires from us in which the Holy Spirit will assist you in. A spiritual walk does not start out with all knowing as human beings. With prayer, practice, and patience you will be refashioned by the H.S. to correct your worldly outlook and be renewed. (II Corinthians 4:16) says "For which cause we faint not: but though our outward man perish, the inward man is renewed day by day". As much as you can right now look beyond ethnicity to the heart where the spirit is. What you seek you will find!
James Kraft
God is no respector of persons. He looks on the heart. Not on whether you are rich or poor or what color you are or your status in this world. The poor beggar Lazarus was probably looked down upon by most in his day. But God took him to heaven and the rich man went to hell. The rich man did not need salvation, he was righteous in his own eyes. I am sure that he thought that his wealth came from his own goodness.
The poor beggar had nothing to commend himself to God, but trusted in God for salvation. The rich man had much in this world, but no compassion on others or Lazarus. In Gods economy the first shall be last and the last shall be first.
By the same token our ancestory has nothing to do with us. Even our father and mother cannot save us. Jesus is the only way no matter what.
For those of us who are saved, we should love others because they have been given a soul just like us. Our basis for loving others is based on what Jesus did on the cross and nothing else.
Dai Remmei
My dear friends in Christ,
Complexions are just skin deep.