Prejudice ~ a form of hate deeply rooted in one's heart. Many don't even know why it is there. It could have been engrained in childhood; may be due to a wrong done by a particular group; could have developed due to a built up intolerance for a select group of people's lifestyle that angers us, or it could be from the infiltration of society and media.
We have struggled with its effects on both the giving and receiving end. Inflicted with the pain of being unaccepted and stirring hurt and anger in those we've outcast. It comes natural to show favoritism and segregate when we are walking in the flesh. But what does God expect from His children who are told to be walking in the Spirit?
"My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law." James 2:1, 9
"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28
If our preconceived ideas of others reign stronger in our lives than the burning passion to see people free through Christ, we must ask ourselves if we truly know the love of Christ. Do our attitudes and actions represent Him correctly to a lost world?
Think for a moment about what type of people you find detestable. The ones who you would be fine going a lifetime never crossing paths with. Or the ones that would surely reject you, mistreat you, abuse you. What if God told you to go among them and love and serve them? Jesus did just that. He left His throne from Heaven to be among heathens who would reject Him and His message. Even the ones who claimed they knew God (the religious people) mocked Him and wanted Him killed. But He served anyway. He loved anyway - all the way to a cruel cross.
We are called to love like Him. In order to love like Him, we must set aside all of our preconceived ideas of people. We have to stop categorizing people. When it comes to races, why is it that we focus on the nine that have left a bad taste in our mouth rather than the one that is trying to make a better life? When it comes to other denominations, why is it we focus on an area of Scripture they may not be well equipped in teaching and rather listen and apply the truth of the Word that they are proclaiming?
When it comes to false religions and those caught in the fall of society through different sexual orientations, greed, pride, etc., why do we focus on using it as a form of entertainment, gossip, crude humor, or a way of making ourselves feel more spiritual rather than feeling the cry of God's heart for a lost world?
God's love is amazing. If we had just a taste of it, we could never look down in judgment on another person... His love is for all. Yes, even for those who have not yet come to repentance. He died while we were yet sinners. He put His love into action in the midst of our wickedness.
Loving everyone isn't okaying evil. It isn't accepting sin. We must still stand up for righteousness. The difference is we do it through the eyes of love - not the eyes of hate and disgust. We do it not to mark one hopeless, but out of a passion to bring them the Hope.
The Father's love ~ a love that is unconditional and loves all the same with no partiality (Romans 2:11). His love for us is not based on our own worthiness, our wisdom or our knowledge... It has everything to do with the fact He gave up His Son to endure death so all of mankind would have opportunity to be reconciled to Him. His love makes us and every other person on this planet worthy to Him. Period.
He is the God of reconciliation and we are called to do the same ~ to lay our life down for others like Christ did. Have you ever missed someone? Terribly missed somebody? God feels that pain and longing daily. What an honored privilege and yet what a humbling responsibility to be called to demonstrate such a love so that Daddy can have His babies back.
I believe, we as Christians, need to daily pray, "Lord, let me see all people through Your eyes. Allow me to love them like You do. Let me feel Your heart's cry so that my desire would be Your desire - to reach everyone with the saving message of Jesus Christ."
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. JUST AS I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” John 13:34-35
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