Prejudice

Real christianity makes all people equal. Too bold? Too soon? Maybe just the right time? The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 3.28— “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.”

In Christ there is no: racial nor ethnic differences (Jew nor Greek); no social nor economic differences (bond or free); neither gender differences (male nor female). Real christianity has always risen above prejudice. The fakers are what make the rest of us look bad. Look at Christ as our example… He encountered Nicodemus, a well-known Jewish man. He also personally addressed the Samaritan woman at the well, an unnamed, adulterous non-Jew. He witnessed to both, without reservation or embarrassment. He didn’t feel awkward or insecure in doing so. He went home with Zachaeus, a rich tax collector. Jesus didn’t hesitate to be with such a rich man who gained his wealth by unjust means. Conversely, he didn’t overlook a blind, poorly beggar, named Bartimaeus. The New Testament tells us about Philemon, a wealthy slave owner and Onesimus, a runaway slave; both were led to Christ by Paul.  

James 2.1-4 addresses this issue within the local church, even today. Prejudices. It must have been a problem during the early days of the church, because James touched on this subject 3 times in his short epistle. Apparently, things were so bad in those days, in churches, that in Corinth the rich would not even share their food at a fellowship meal with the poor. 1 Corinthians 11.21 says— “For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry…” What’s wrong with them? Let’s see if we can find a correlation.

The words James uses to introduce such a difficult topic, are spoken lovingly with— “My brethren”. Loving,but said so firmly. James makes it clear that: if you hold faith in Christ, do not be partial. Faith and prejudice do not mix! He is making a strong illustration. Imagine in your mind’s eye, holding Faith in one hand, and in the other hand hold Prejudice. He says… do not do this! We cannot claim to have a real faith while at the same time acting partial. 

Notice that verse 1 also contains a clear statement of the diety of Christ. He is “the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory.”One of the attributes of Christ being God, is His divine impartiality. God is not prejudice. Acts 10.34 says— “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:” Paul said in Romans 2.11— “For there is no respect of persons with God.” 

If this is true with God, and instructed to the churches of the New Testament, the churches of today must obey. Churches today are His body in this world, and therefore to be without partiality or any kind of prejudices… like Jesus.

Jesus is not prejudice. We already looked at the verses above for proof of this point. Lets look at some where we are actually the main characters. Note the emphasis’ I added:

  • In Isaiah 53.6 it says— “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us ALL.”
  • In 1 Timothy 4.10— “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of ALL MEN, specially of those that believe.”
  • In 1 John 2.2 we read— “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of THE WHOLE WORLD.”
  • Hebrews 2.9 states— “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for EVERY MAN.”
  • Paul also said to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2.4— “Who will have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth.”

Maybe we should all remember where we come from. 

I am a Sinner. I still am. God saved me, but I am not worthy of it. I should always keep that in perspective when looking at others. When setting myself as a judge I should remember the Righteous Judge declared me His own without reservation. I am in the “beloved”, not by my own merit, but by His matchless grace, He saved me. I will face that same Righteous Judge soon and give an account of every thought I had to others and the way I treated them.

In other words— I am saved by grace through faith; and that not of myself: it was the gift of God: Not of my works, lest I should boast.

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