THE PUTTING OFF OF PREJUDICE
In this new man of God’s design there is no distinction between Greek and Hebrew, Jew or Gentile, foreigner or savage, slave or free man. Christ is all that matters for Christ lives in them all.
Colossians 3:11 PHILLIPS
Our pastor taught a message on the Good Samaritan this past weekend and prejudice in the church. My husband and I write the sermon based studies and were so surprised to discover just how much the Word of God speaks to the sin of prejudice. It could easily be summed up in one sentence: summed up in one sentence.
All forms of racism, prejudice, and discrimination
are affronts to the work of Christ on the cross.
I always wondered how God would use our “interracial” marriage for ministry. I now understand that our marriage demonstrates that there is no distinction between black and white, Christ is all that matters.
The meaning of prejudice is to pre-judge.
Prejudice is an attitude taken towards an individual without adequate factual basis or understanding. Because some people have prejudiced attitudes that are negative towards certain individuals or groups, they sometimes do things that are detrimental to them for no valid reason. Most often, prejudiced attitudes are based on opinions generated by environmental influences in lieu of facts. Prejudice is characterized by a feeling of superiority. Prejudice is not only racial in nature but has its outworking in economic and religious differences.
I was most shocked as I looked at Jonah’s life through the lenses of prejudice. Jonah had his own ideas about whom God should save. The people in Nineveh were certainly not among them.
Is it possible that we can have an attitude of superiority towards unbelievers?
If we were to be honest, yes we can.
We like to think that discrimination and prejudice ended decades ago. We see ourselves and our generation as too sophisticated and advanced to have prejudicial views toward other people for any reason. But the truth is, we are a long way from being free from prejudice, and we need to face the prejudice that is within us.
Theologian J. B. Lightfoot comments:
Not only does the distinction not exist, but it cannot exist. It is a mundane distinction, and therefore has disappeared. Regeneration brings true equality. People are not equal physically, mentally or economically in this life. Only the gospel can place people on equal footing with God and others. The Christian church should have no barriers for Christ breaks down all barriers and accepts all people who come to Him. Christians should be building bridges, not walls. In Christ all distinctions are transcended; at the foot of the cross the ground is level.
I think it is important as we come to chapter 3 of Colossians, seeking to put off those things which are carnal, that we examine our hearts carefully. It is easy to identify when we are angry or using filthy language or catching ourselves quickly when we lie, but it is not so easy to spot attitudes towards people that we may hide in our hearts. Those attitudes can manifest themselves subtly as we distance ourselves from people that desperately need to be shown the love of Christ.
The parable of the Good Samaritan speaks today. Are we lacking compassion and avoiding people that are not like we are? May we come to the Lord and repent and ask Him to fill our hearts with His love.