Discrimination and Doctrine
Times have changed very little. The first century was marked by prejudice and hatred based on class, ethnicity, and religious background. People were marked as Jew, Gentile, or Samaritan. They were viewed as rich or poor, slave or free. People routinely judged and categorized one another in ways in which God did not approve. In the midst of these challenges, the Holy Spirit inspired James to write words that could’ve just as easily been written to our 21st century world. “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” (James 2:1). The faith James is referring to is doctrinal faith—truth—the things that we profess to believe about God. In other words, the way that we treat people reveals what we really believe about God.
It is an inconsistency to profess faith in Christ and at the same time be prejudiced. “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20). In context, John was not just writing about blood relations, or just about the family of God, but about all humanity. What we think about others reveals what we think about God, His grace, and eternity.
Prejudice (pre-judging) is an attack on the deity of God, and thus is a sin against God and not just our fellow man. Regardless of social state, financial resources, background, skin color, or any other criteria, every human has been created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Ethnicity or nation of origin may not be the same, but we are all of one race—the human race. Every man, woman, boy and girl bears the image of the Creator. And God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever put their trust in Him, would not perish, but would receive everlasting life (John 3:16).
Prejudice is making a decision about a person without the facts, coming to a conclusion based on nothing more than an ill-informed opinion. Seeing an immigrant, and thinking that she came illegally to take advantage of this nation is an act of prejudice. Seeing the “good-ole boy” wearing camouflage and driving a pickup truck with an NRA sticker on the back, and assuming he is a white supremacist is an act of narrow-mindedness. Seeing the girl with tattoos and body piercings, and coming to the conclusion that she must be on drugs or promiscuous is an act of bigotry. Seeing the fellow on the corner with his cardboard placard, and thinking that he is just too lazy to work is an act of prejudice…and the list of stereotypes and our ungodly thoughts and attitudes could go on and on.
“…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). God cannot be prejudiced because He knows everything. He knows the true condition, the real motives of any person (Hebrews 4:12). Jesus was not impressed with riches or social status. Even his enemies admitted, “Teacher, we know that you are honest. You teach the truth about what God wants people to do. And you treat people with the same respect, no matter who they are” (Matthew 22:16, CEV). The sin of prejudice is a sin against the Lord because it is a statement of pride, declaring we know more than He does. When we make negative judgments based on externals, we have not only put ourselves in the place of God, but we have devalued what He has given value.
Discrimination is an affront to God’s grace. When He chooses a person for salvation, it is not based on any qualification, or accomplishment. If so, it would no longer be an act of grace, but of merit. Grace implies God’s sovereign choice of those who cannot earn and do not deserve His salvation. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). In choosing, God ignores every difference and distinction—national, social, cultural, economic or ethnic.
When Peter was sent by the Holy Spirit to the home of Cornelius, who was not Jewish, Peter proclaimed, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35). The epistles of Paul echo this idea. “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Romans 10:12-13). Colossians 3:11 tells us that in God’s kingdom, “…there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). In Christ Jesus—because of His grace. The doctrine of God’s grace, if we really believe it, forces us to relate to people on the basis of God’s kindness and not on the basis of human merit, family associations, or even our own preferences.
Prejudice is a rejection of what God has planned for eternity. In His sovereignty, He created every language group and every class of people. By His grace, He has chosen people from every culture and category, to worship and enjoy Him forever. By His grace, He loves and cleanses and leads and instructs all who follow Him—American, Arab, Chinese, male, female, young or old. By His grace, He will work perfect justice and demonstrate perfect mercy, to all humanity. Heaven will be populated with Africans, Europeans, Asians, Hispanics, Navajos, Turks, Azeris, Hmong, and every other tribe, kindred and tongue. Together we will be crying out, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive all glory, honor, power and praise” (Revelation 5:12). Where will the joy be for those who hate on the basis of prejudice?
The composition of the church, which is a reflection of His glory and gives us a glimpse of eternity, should baffle the world, because it can’t explain how people of so many different backgrounds can come together in love and harmony. To divide up the church along any such lines tarnishes the glory of God and stains His salvation. What we believe about Christ, His grace, and eternity should be visible today. Does what you profess to believe match the way that you live?
How should we rightly demonstrate the grace of Christ to people around us? Try to see everyone as Christ sees them, and love them like He loves them. If the person is a Christian, we love him because Christ lives in him. If she is not a Christian, we love her because Christ died for her and she bears the image of her Creator. It is Christ who brings us together. The basis for right relationships is the person and work of Jesus Christ. Any other basis is not going to work.
If you have been the victim of discrimination, remember that the religious experts in Christ’s day judged Him by their human standards, and they rejected Him. He came from the wrong city, Nazareth of Galilee. He and his parents had been refugees. He was not a graduate of their accepted schools. He did not have the official approval of the people in power. He had no wealth. His followers were a nondescript mob and included publicans and sinners. Yet He was the very glory of God! Take heart. You are in good company.
