How should a Christian view being “woke”?

Answer

“Woke” is a relatively modern term that now signifies being “conscious of injustice in society.” A “woke” individual is particularly sensitive to racial discrimination and the related issues. While the term “woke” is commonly associated with the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement, its origins date back further and can be traced to the 2008 song “Master Teacher” by Erykah Badu and a 1962 essay titled “If You’re Woke You Dig It” by William Melvin Kelley.

In terms of being “woke,” Christians should bear three key points in mind:

Firstly, Christians need to recognize that racism in America has led to disgrace, inequity, and, at certain points in history, severe violence. Furthermore, it is evident that not all traces of racism were eliminated by the American civil rights movement of the mid-twentieth century. Despite the progress made since the Civil War, there is still unfinished business.

Secondly, Christians should comprehend that while laws and regulations uphold the principle of equal rights for all Americans legally, no legislation can alter the heart. An individual filled with prejudice and racial animosity will not suddenly embrace love just because a new law is enacted. Unlike those who solely seek change through legislation, Christians acknowledge the wickedness of the human heart, as stated in “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). True justice can only be achieved when individuals are justified in Christ. It is only through salvation that we can fulfill the commandment “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” as taught by Christ, “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” ((Mark 12:31). He addressed various issues, including racial divides, in the parable of the good Samaritan found in (Luke 10:25-37).

Thirdly, Christians must understand that genuine racial reconciliation within the Church occurs when we prioritize our identity in Christ over our affiliation with a particular racial group or ethnicity. Members of the body of Christ should feel more connected to their Christian family than to their own ethnic background: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” «There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. », (Galatians 3:28).

As Christians, we should be aware of God’s love for our Christian family: “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them” «But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. », (1 John 2:11). We should be conscious of the light of the gospel «in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. », (2 Corinthians 4:4). We should be vigilant against temptation in the world «Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. », (Matthew 26:41).

Matthew 26:41. We are reconciled with God and united with Christ “And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;”, (2 Corinthians 5:18), allowing us to be truly reconciled with one another. Real change and real solutions to the issues of racism, injustice, and other societal wrongs are discovered in God’s Word and in the peace He provides.