Reggie Gets Real

In 1993, Reggie Jackson was honored with induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game, Jackson was asked in an interview about his emotions returning to a place where he had played with an exceptional team. His response was both unexpected and profound. Reflecting on the racism he had faced, he expressed, "I would never want to go through that again... I wouldn't wish it on anyone." He went on to acknowledge the crucial support of his white friends, emphasizing that their presence had been instrumental in his success.

This situation brings to mind a passage from Galatians 2:11-14, where Paul addresses Peter for segregating himself from the Gentiles after the arrival of his Jewish companions.

Galatians 2:14 (NKJV)

But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

Paul emphasizes that behaving in such a manner leads to a lack of transparency regarding the gospel's truth. The gospel is not merely a proclamation of salvation; it should be exemplified in the lives of all believers. Let us prioritize justice in order to accurately represent the gospel's truth. We must be willing to make the necessary efforts to embody the gospel in our lives, even if it entails taking the whole team to a restaurant that serves everyone, similar to Reggie's manager.