A Faith That Works When Life Doesn’t: Part 1Muestra

God Hates Prejudice, and We Should, Too  

Our nation is desperate for healing on the issue of race. The Body of Christ has to talk about it, even though it’s uncomfortable. The church can’t be silent.

We can’t ignore racism because, quite simply, God hates it. If God hates racial prejudice, then we should, too.

Why does God hate racial prejudice?

Racial prejudice questions God’s creation.
God could have made us all the same. We could have all looked alike, but God didn’t do that. He loves variety!

Racial prejudice is a sign of ignorance.
When we demonstrate prejudice, we show the world we don’t know what we’re talking about. We’re revealing our foolishness.

The Bible says, “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them” (1 John 2:11 NIV).

The Bible says if I hate someone just because that person is different, I’m in the dark—and blind. That’s a pretty serious accusation from God.

Racial prejudice disobeys the Great Commandment.
Paul says, “The entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Galatians 5:14-15 NIV).

If you display a racist attitude, you’re disobeying the plain truth of this Scripture. We can’t make judgments about another person based on outward appearance and truly love him or her as a brother or sister.

Racial prejudice is a serious sin.
Prejudice makes God mad. The Bible says, “If you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker” (James 2:9 GNT).

Racism is a problem of sin, not skin. One day we’ll give an account for that sin before God.

The important thing to remember as we search our hearts for prejudice and bigotry is this: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV). We will only eliminate prejudice as each one of our hearts is transformed by the love of God. He is willing and able to change us.

Talk It Over

• If God hates prejudice, why has this been such a difficult sin for the Church to deal with throughout the years? How can we overcome that?
• Of the four reasons why God hates prejudice mentioned above, which is the most significant to you? Why?
• Ask God to reveal any prejudice in your life. Once he does, confess it as sin, and ask Jesus to heal your brokenness and to lead you toward racial reconciliation.

This devotional © 2021 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.