Can you say, "Prejudice"?

Isn't it amazing at the fact that culture and upbringing sometimes have a stronger affect on us that the gospel?

The out and out prejudice even among Christians is alarming. I would say that we are all prejudice toward something or someone because of our upbringings or other negative experiences. I have heard so called "Christians" letting their tongues wag about the new administration wondering when he will be shot! Can you believe that? No wonder the world has such a tough time coming to the church, sometimes we have more hate than unbelievers. We should truly be sorry for our actions and repent. The Bible says that if we claim to love God and do not love our brother, we are a liar. Pretty cut and dry.

Don't deny your prejudices, confess them and find healing. Please be an agent of love and grace because that is who Christians are!

Check out this weeks Teaser!

The following is taken from a blog post today at:
http://thenoreaster.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/storm-stories-the-price-of-wisdom-part-three/#comments

In fact, the methods have become the message.

Judgment trumps justice.

Hatred overshadows mercy.

Condemnation takes precedence over compassion.

And the church travels the road to Hell with the best intentions.

Is it any wonder “prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do”? (Matthew 21:31) (end of quote)

Prejudice and hate do not belong among God's family toward anyone.
It was a Christian who said in my hearing regarding my daughter, Julia Butterfly, "I hope she falls out of the tree and bangs from limb to limb, breaking every bone in her body before she hits the ground and dies!"

That is the kind of 'love' that most people run from, regardless of where they find it.

Wow, the hate in the quote about your daughter falling from a tree and dying is chilling.

It bothers me a great deal to hear anyone talk like this, but where I feel outrage and heated anger is when I hear so called Christians talking like this. I have to allow the mercy and grace of Jesus wash over me to have the heart of Christ toward the "haters."

If I allow my anger to burn brightly in an unchecked manner, I give room for enemy to tempt me to hate as a Christian. I must stay submitted to the Holy Spirit that I show only love to those who love me and those who hate me, those who love all people and those who hate all people.

Prejudice is an indication of the lack of love. God is love. If we are in Him and he is in us we have love. John 13:35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples that, if you have love one for another. Christ's two commands are to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

By their friut ye shall know them......

I heard a prominent talk radio host saying that he wanted to see Obama fail. He said that he resented the fact that he 'had' to like Obama because he was black. Wow. I was not a big fan of Bush during his presidency, but I always remember people telling me that I should pray for him, and support him, because he was in fact, our president. I say the same thing now about Obama. Even if we don't agree on some of his platforms, we should continue to pray that he has Godly influences, wisdom, etc. Not that his presidency will fail. America cannot afford that.

Paul told Timothy to pray "For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

We must always pray for those in authority over us knowing at least two things:
1. God commanded it and
2. It enables us, as Christians, to lead a quiet and peaceable life

May God bless President Obama and all of the authority that God has placed over us for this time. God is sovereign and we praise Him for Who He is.

The root of prejudice is arrogance which rises up from pride. Prejudice takes on many disguises: against Blacks, against Orientals, against homosexuals, against drunks, against rich people/poor people, dirty people, educated people, against non-believers, etc. All bigotry can be defended by the perpetrators. It comes down to I AM BETTER THAN ANOTHER PERSON BECAUSE...

Until every crack and crevice of our spiritual being is filled up and overflowing with CHRISTlike love -- we will be prejudiced (arrogant) about something.