Identity Colors Everything

In this new creation life, your nationality makes no difference, or your ethnicity, education, or economic status—they matter nothing. For it is Christ that means everything as he lives in every one of us! Colossians 3:11

This past week in State College the life of a black man, Osaze Osagie, was ended by a police officer who chose to fire his weapon first when “threatened” by Osagie. As I write this, the Equality and Inclusion division of the state police are investigating the shooting. It looks to be a case of three gun and taser armed police officers against one man with a knife. Indeed the coroner has declared it a homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds. I wasn’t present at this shooting, but considering there were three officers to one man, this seems excessive.

One has to question the justice of this. And many have. While peaceable, the public outcry was immediate. The grief is real. It is felt most deeply by the black community, but the white community, especially the church, has joined their brothers and sisters in their grief. Osaze should have had as much of a chance to live as his white neighbor. The initial police report indicates that Osaze brandished a knife. A knife. By a man who felt cornered and overtaken and suffering from mental illness. Certainly three armed police officers could have subdued him! I admit this is merely my opinion, but a logical mind must admit the force that was used certainly seems disproportionate.

What was going on in the mind of the officer who fired his weapon? Only he can answer that. But I somehow have to wonder if this may have been a very different confrontation had he understood what the apostle Paul was teaching the believers in Colossae (and us!) regarding people who aren’t like themselves. “...Your nationality makes no difference, or your ethnicity, education, or economic status—they matter nothing.” (Colossians 3:11a)

For some in today’s American culture this idea of equality that Paul proposes may sound absurd. White supremacy is on the rise. And not just in the United States. Fifty Muslim Middle Eastern refugees who were slaughtered in Christchurch would tell you that. It certainly appears that for some, the color of skin or socioeconomic status or religious beliefs one holds make a huge difference. The shooter in Christchurch wrote a manifesto that suggested “that the white nationalist ideas behind violence and attempted violence in the United States and elsewhere influenced him deeply.” I don’t cite Christchurch to give less weight to #BlackLivesMatter, but rather to help show that this evil is prevalent in even the most unlikely of places.

In her book The Debt, Angela Hunt asks the question, “Why are we surprised when sinners sin?” I have often thought of this quote when I’ve encountered various forms of injustice and evil. I believe the apostle Paul recognized this. In fact, he see it in himself when he calls himself “the foremost of sinners.” And indeed, he tells the Colossian believers “That’s how you once behaved, characterized by your evil deeds.” (Colossians 3:7) The shooting of a mentally unstable black man may or may not be characterized as evil, but the problem still exists. Sin exists and every intention of our hearts is bent toward wickedness always.

Fortunately, this isn’t the end of our story. It may be too late for Osaze, but for us there is hope.

But now it’s time to eliminate them from your lives once and for all—

anger, fits of rage, all forms of hatred, cursing, filthy speech, and lying.

Lay aside your old Adam-self with its masquerade and disguise.

For you have acquired new creation life which is continually being

renewed into the likeness of the One who created you; giving

you the full revelation of God. In this new creation life, your

nationality makes no difference, or your ethnicity, education,

or economic status—they matter nothing. For it is Christ that

means everything as he lives in every one of us!

Colossians 3:8-11

In Christ, we can be new creations, new people. That evil, sinful heart doesn’t have to overtake us or our thoughts. We can begin to see people with the eyes of Christ rather than eyes of hate.

I am a recipient of white privilege. I didn’t ask for it. It is just part of what I receive because my skin happens to lack melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. But I don’t have to embrace this as my identity. My identity is in Christ. It changes everything!

But I must do my part too. I must embrace #BlackLivesMatter because there is so much evil to overcome. I need to daily ask Holy Spirit to help me see everyone I encounter with His eyes. I need to consider every person I encounter as more significant than myself. I must abandon every display of selfishness and embrace a greater concern for what matters to others instead of my own interests. (Philippians 2:4) If I am diligent to be in Christ every day, following the motivation of His own heart, my actions, small as they may be, will make a difference. And in small part, I can give appropriate significance to Osaze Osagie.