The sound of her name made me recoil. I knew the strong testimony of the well-known speaker and had no justifiable reason to avoid her podcasts. My disgust had nothing to do with her or the worthy cause she represented. I’d been hurt by someone who idolized her, so my prejudice came because of her association with that individual.
Paul confronted some misguided Jewish believers who were looking down on Gentile believers. In his instruction, he highlighted a reality of the Christian faith: Following laws or traditions will not make us right with God—salvation is a free gift of God’s grace that we receive by faith (Ephesians 2:8-15).
Human frailty drives us to divisions, groupings, and looking down on one another. Quick to identify with those who are like-minded, we categorize others and spiritualize our splits. Scripture, however, declares, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
Prejudice often rears its ugly head when people strive for power, and it proliferates in the opinions of others. Even the apostle Peter let fear lead him to disassociate from others based on externals (Galatians 2:12). Although wrongful exclusivity often reveals itself in gender, racial, socioeconomic, and ethnic lines, sometimes prejudices are more personal. Trying to protect ourselves, we allow relational wounds to bias us against others—sometimes even those we’ve never met.
Only true faith can reveal God’s heart for all people (Ephesians 3:10-11). When we remember it’s no longer we who live but Jesus who lives in us (Galatians 2:20), prejudice disappears and God’s grace is seen.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 40:1-23
More:
Read Colossians 3:1-17 and consider our responsibility to tear down walls of division within the church.
Next:
Do your relationships with others reflect the diversity of believers that will be found in heaven? How can you reach out to those within the church who are different from you or with whom you disagree?
yemiks1 on January 23, 2016 at 5:55 am
I’m really in love with today’s topic. God bless the crew. Christianity is a race, battle and something like a surfing in an ocean tides. Everyone isn’t on the same height or level, yet everyone must attain the goal. Prejudice sets in when you begin to force others to live your level, instead of praying and helping them to grow. Then the results become hate and helplessness to the other parties.
Gary Shultz on January 23, 2016 at 7:00 am
Regina, this stuff does drive deep. I have to step back and remind myself that one of the greatest testimonies the church has is our love for one another. It is not a suggestion we are told to love one another. I think many of us need to park it with God, get on our big girl or boy pants and get to work changing our attitudes and asking forgiveness for some of the feelings we hold. God’s plan is the right plan, love one another. Thanks Regina
gagirllive on January 23, 2016 at 8:37 am
This is a critical message that needs to be addressed over and over within the Church…as individuals and as a corporate body of believers. Action, not just talk, needs to take place. We look around at our nation and shake our heads at all the division, yet we often fail at demonstrating what the Body of Christ should look like with all its beautiful diversity. I live in the south, and I am still appalled that 11 o’clock Sunday morning is still the most segregated hour of the week. To me, weddings and funerals are the two most telling things about a person–how they live(d) and love(d). When I look around at either one and see only one predominant race or socio-economic group of people, I know that they have made their world too small. They have not been intentional at crossing cultural barriers so that the power of the gospel can be seen in their relationships. And I’m speaking of Christian people! I’m sorry if I am being judgemental, but this is an issue that breaks my heart. I’m so glad Paul had the unction to call out Peter on his sin. Peter was not only being prejudice and hypocritical, but he was misrepresenting the whole message of the gospel to those around him! We need to have a “come to Jesus meeting” on this one, folks. Thank you, Regina, for speaking to this. We need it.
P.S. Sorry for my rant. Does anybody out there feel me?
sdwise on January 23, 2016 at 9:05 am
I feel you. It has only been at the close of last year that I decided to be a silent respectful voice of one who will not longer attend church functions during worship time that focus on separatism of race, gender or group affiliations. I believe God is calling me to be accountable to worship Him in a setting open to all believers. I challenge all believers to ask yourself the question “If another believer from from a different race or gender or not of the same social organizations you belong to came. To your worship service, would they feel welcomed or ignored?”
sdwise on January 23, 2016 at 8:46 am
Yemiks1 I also love this lesson for this morning! However I have a problem with the analogy that we are all on different levels. I used to use that phraseology at one time and after further prayer and consideration, I came to realize that it implies that some are higher than others. My conclusion was that as far as God is concerned we are all on the same level, and He is maturing us in different areas of our lives every day. This made a big difference in my life to keep me from judging how spiritual a person may or may not be and allows me to receive them as my brothers and sisters in Christ. I would love to get anyone else’s take on this.
gagirllive on January 23, 2016 at 9:20 am
I totally agree with you. It’s a matter of maturity, not position. The ground is level at the cross.
jim spillane on January 23, 2016 at 12:13 pm
If we are only talking about spiritual levels, there is no doubt in my mind that we are not all at the same level. Just in fellowshipping with other believers, I am convinced that we are all not of the same profound understanding of the Word of God. Obviously there are some who go deeper than others, and act accordingly. The faithful are not all the same, some are still on milk while others are into the meat. There’s a difference in spiritual maturity, if you will. This has nothing to do with prejudice or being judgmental, it’s just a simple observation and it certainly doesn’t change the way our Heavenly Father loves us. “He loves each one of us as if there were but one of us to love.” – St. Augustine
gagirllive on January 23, 2016 at 1:43 pm
Yes, Jim. I agree. I was saying that “positionally” we are all on the same level before God…sinners in desperate need of God’s grace. You’re right in terms of spiritual maturity…we are all at different levels…and that in itself is God’s gift of grace. We can boast in nothing…”no gifts, no power, no wisdom”. That is the point that Paul was making…we (Jews and Gentiles alike) stand on level ground at the cross. Peter’s hypocrisy reflected a superiority complex that needed to be exorcised from him. We need to examine our hearts often to see if there are traces of that sin in us too.