Prejudice!

Perhaps we feel we have become successful at warding of prejudice. Is there a sense in which we feel we have become colorblind when we look at others? What is prejudice anyway? Our English word comes from the Latin "praejudicium" ["prae" (pre) and "judicium" (judgment)] and may rightfully be viewed as a "prejudgment" of others.

Sometimes I feel that being prejudiced is not a challenge for me until another word comes to mind; "STEREOTYPING". STEREOTYPING is the act of categorizing individuals or groups of individuals according to an oversimplified standardized image or idea. [source: Encarta ® World English Dictionary © 1998-2005, Microsoft Corp.] It is when we look at someone and by simply noting their nationality, style of dress, kind of car being driven, manner of speech, or some other visible characteristic, we immediately place them in a certain grouping of people such as intelligent or uneducated, rich or poor, hard working or lazy, giver or taker, etc. This can quickly take place within our minds before we even become fully aware it's happening. It is an act of jumping to a conclusion about others before we even get to know them. The only one to walk this earth to possess such an immediate insight of others was our Lord. ( John 2:24-25) Therefore we need to carefully guard against making some of the distinctions the world may like to make. When people drop by our church building seeking help of various sorts, they come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and manners of dress. I must always be mindful of what is allowed to impact my perspective.

James admonished. . .
"(1) My brothers, SHOW NO PARTIALITY as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. (2) For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, (3) and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' (4) have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become JUDGES WITH EVIL THOUGHTS?" ( James 2:1-4 ESV)

What James was addressing was taking place within the fellowship of the church! He made it clear that such distinctions make us "judges with evil thoughts." James later even addressed the idea of how we speak to others, since we must bear in mind they too were created in the likeness of God. ( James 3:9)

In Paul's letter to the church at Rome he exhorted toward the willingness to. . .
"(16) Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but ASSOCIATE WITH THE LOWLY. Never be wise in your own sight." ( Romans 12:16 ESV)

Jesus worked with His disciples to get them to see people. We may see color. We may note nationality. We may make the proper distinction between male and female. All of that can be just fine. However, we need to look beyond these differences to recognize souls in need of the same salvation in Christ we have received. God's Will is to be upheld without prejudice or prejudging. (note 1 Tim. 5:21) We need to recognize how in Christ we are united for the same blessings associated with being heirs of Abraham. ( Galatians 3:27-29) May we guard against prejudging as we try to see others in the loving manner in which God views them.

Have a great day VALUING OTHERS AS GOD DOES!
Carl

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