What Does the Bible Say About Prejudice? نموونە

Day 6 - Jesus’ power to reconcile

Redemption can only come through Jesus.

Ultimately, the power to break the walls of hostility comes from Jesus. Every single person has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; every single person needs saving from their sins (Romans 3:23). Jesus loves every single person to such an extent that he would sacrifice his own life for ours.

We love because he first loved us, and his love showed no partiality (1 John 4:19).

What does that reconciliation require? It will probably require both asking forgiveness and forgiving others.

Christ emphasizes that we must forgive others their trespasses, just as God has forgiven our trespasses (Matthew 6:12). Because we are fallen humans, we will inevitably hurt others and be hurt by others. As such, the church would fall apart if we don’t forgive one another.

As Paul says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32, emphasis added).

As believers, we can expect to be judged by others in the world. However, let us be persecuted, not for our sinfulness or hatred, but for our good deeds and love of others.

Jesus did things the difficult way, intentionally. One of his disciples was a tax collector named Matthew, a traitor who worked for the Romans. Another was a zealot named Simon, a Jew trained to kill Romans and intent on revolution. Jesus changed both of their outlooks and transformed their lives (thankfully, for Matthew’s sake).

In this past week, we’ve reflected on different ways we’re tempted to be prejudiced. We’ve seen how prejudice hampers the gospel and hurts our witness as Christians. Yet it's important to remember how truly difficult loving one another can be. We will all have wrongs against us, and another group of people may hate us, for any number of reasons. The world may consider some people our enemies—and even then Jesus calls us to radically love them (Matthew 5:44).

It is only through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, through our relationship with Christ and recognition of his love for us, that we can overcome the divisions in our culture.

Reflect

How have you been believing in the truth of Christ’s forgiveness?

Do you know the peace from God’s grace?

Have you allowed that peace to sink into your heart and mind?

Have you seen that love of God overflowing into other people's lives?

Pray to God that he would fill you with the spirit of peace and love for all peoples, including those who are different from you or even hostile to you.