Prejudice

But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. --Luke 23:34

Prejudice! What an ugly social ill.America is accused of it justifiably, yet I have never been to a country that did not practice it. Every race has within it those who are prejudiced. Many of us were encouraged from youth by the government to dislike the Russians and the Japanese, and now that same government enforces laws against discrimination. Women hate men and men hate women. People are too tall, too fat, too skinny, too short, too stupid, too educated, too spiritual, too carnal, too legalistic, and too liberal. Do not trust parents, do not trust teenagers, do not believe husbands, know that employers are out to get you, and do not share a weakness with your wife.

Upon recognizing and pointing out prejudice in a society, many attempt to fight it with more prejudice toward those who have it, discriminating against and avoiding them at all cost.It is vexing to become like one’s enemy, with bigotry and distrust driving hate and dislike. How is prejudice destroyed? Like all other societal ills, it is incredibly simple to cure with love! Once love enters the equation, everything changes. Love is not selective but inclusive. Love does not sort out who is right or wrong but shows no partiality and makes us more than conquerors.

On one occasion I was talking to a friend of a different race; he had made a conscious determination that he and his children would learn all they could about their culture. My response was, “Has all the information you have learned concerning your race changed your marriage, given wisdom in raising your children, or taken away the feelings of inferiority, failure, or depression?” He admittedly said no. I then responded, “Neither has the study of my race.” Jesus never commented on the outer life. He was racist toward the inner life, the life of Adam, the life that causes misery, and He wanted it dead and replaced with His life (Galatians 2:20). Once we receive His life, we receive love, which frees us from all of the above and gives the needed wisdom for daily living.