NO ROOM FOR PREJUDICE IN CHRISTIANITY

NO ROOM FOR PREJUDICE IN CHRISTIANITY

Watching nightly news can be an entirely depressing experience in contemporary America.  There is an endless array of pestilence, violence, terrorism, warfare and man’s inhumanity to man, all enacted, escalated, or viewed through the deadly prism of prejudice.

 Unquestionably, prejudice is satanic in origin.

 Because it accomplishes all that Jesus Christ spoke of when he described the heinous character of Satan, “the thief, who comes to steal, kill and destroy.” (John 10:10)  Prejudice robs us of hope, kills opportunity and destroys relationships.

 Most distressing are the prejudicial perspectives and practices that emanate from certain segments of the so-called ‘Christian community,’ some of whom seem to have ignorantly or willfully embraced deception, hate speech and racial animus.  How can we possibly believe in the promise of eternal communion with Christ while promoting carnal divisions of race, ethnicity, gender and class within the very sanctuaries in which we proclaim the presence and power of God?

 Prejudice not only disparages our sisters and brothers; it completely degrades and damages our witness.  In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the gospels quite seriously and actually considered converting to Christianity.  He believed that he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India in the teachings of Christ.

 So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and consult with the minister about becoming a Christian.  However, when he entered the sanctuary, the usher refused to offer him a seat, insisting that he go and worship with his own people.  Gandhi left that church and never returned.  “If Christians have caste differences also,” he concluded, “I might as well remain a Hindu.”  Think about it.  That usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus Christ, but also turned away a soul who was actively in pursuit of a Savior.

 There is no room for prejudice of any kind in the Christian faith.  Indeed, “God has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on the face of the earth.” (Acts 17:26)  Any persons who refuse to come to grips with that irrefutable truth will likely find themselves exiled from Heaven.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!