Overcoming Prejudices and Biases

Never doubt the fact that our Lord has a heart for all people. Regardless of ethnicity, background, education, or socio-economic level, our God loves people. Though this is evident throughout the Scriptures, it really begins to become clear as the New Testament unfolds. Not long after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, God begins an incredible movement. People are recognizing that Jesus was indeed the long awaited Messiah and they begin to commit their lives to following Him. However, this movement – at first – was confined to the Jewish nation, but not for long.

In pretty short fashion God begins to work and move among the Gentile nations. The Gentiles were made up by every other nations that was not part of Israel. The Jewish law did not allow its people to associate with or to visit with anyone from another nation (Acts 10:28). But God was doing a new thing. God instructed Peter, a Jew, to go to the Gentiles and preach the gospel (Acts 10:42). Simply put, God moved in a very powerful way amongst the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-48).

As is normal for us, we like to hang out with people who look like, think like, and act like us. However, we must never forget that God has a heart for all people – regardless of background, lifestyle, or station in life. Not only does God have a heart for people, but He has called us to reach out to them with the good news of His love and Christ’s sacrifice. We do not have the privilege of our prejudices and biases. We are to love as God the Father and Jesus His son have loved.

Standing Firm in Difficult Times

Without a doubt, we live in a very progressive time. It seems that on a daily basis strides are made to normalize what society has previously refused to accept. We have seen laws passed, some of which were predictable, some of which were surprising. We have further seen attempts to force the acceptance of what is contrary to our values or belief system. In short, our society is changing.

With the change that is coming so rapidly, how is the Christian to respond? Well, Peter summed this up rather succinctly for us. In Acts 5 the apostles have been arrested for teaching in the name of Jesus. They were locked in prison, but God moved to set them free. After a subsequent detainment the high priest questions them. He said to them, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” Peter’s answer to this questioning enlightens us as to how we are to live in our society. Peter says, “We must obey God rather than men.” In other words, we appreciate your concern but we must do what God has called us to do.

This is the perfect position for the believer today. We must obey what God has called us to do. We must follow what God has set forth. No law, no man, and no movement can impose on us anything contrary to the word of God. Keep in mind however, resistance does not have to be hostile. We do not have to display anger nor do we have to ostracize people. We can stand up for our beliefs and proclaim the truth of God’s word in love. We do not have to look any further than our own Lord and Savior to see how to accomplish this.

Obey the word of God. Stand on the word of God. Share the word of God. But, do it all in love.