|
So you are prejudice (continued)
I mentioned the term people group. There are different groups of people in this world. The New Testament refers to them as nations. They are referred to as tribes and also by their cultural identity. In one case in the Bible skin color is mentioned. It is found in the Song of Solomon. A woman who is identified as a Shulamite, mentioned that she was black. She describes Solomon as fair. She describes where black skin comes from (Song of Solomon 1:5,6). When you examine this book carefully it is clear that God is using this book to describe the intimate relationship his wishes to have with us.
That fact flies in the face of those who mistakenly say the Bible is against interracial marriage. If you read more about Solomon's marriages you will discover what kind of marriages God is opposed to. It is inter cultural marriages in the Old Testament and believer non-believer in the New Testament. Many of the women that Solomon married kept their idols. This is what God is opposed to. Today, if you are a Christian, if you marry, you should marry a Christian.
Most of the Jews in New Testament times didn't like Samaritans. If they got dirt from Samaria on their feet, they shook it off before entering Israel. Jesus uses this dislike to prove that even someone they dislike was doing God's will more than a Jewish priest. When you consider the Biblical position on mankind it is clear that the Bible says unbelief in God is the only thing about man that God is opposed to. It is the only difference that God really sees in us. And unbelief is worse to God than human ignorance of skin color is to us.
But, many folk don't go by what the Bible says. Take Joseph Smith Jr. He founded the Mormon Church. He believed that a person couldn't have even one drop of “black” blood in them and hold the Mormon priesthood. When he wrote his version of the Bible (the Joseph Smith Translation) he omitted the Song of Solomon. Little wonder that Mormons don't use his version. When the Mormons discovered they couldn't run their church on this doctrine, they changed it.
Okay, let's use some common sense here. John 13:35 says we will be known as Jesus' disciples by our love one for another. Prejudging someone on skin color isn't an act of love. Jesus says in the book of Matthew that we are to even love our enemies. Listen, the “n” word is used in racial hatred and bigotry. Therefore, that word doesn't even have a place in Christian thought or speech towards others. Matthew 5:22 has some strong words for those who are prejudice.
In closing let me point out something. All this division that goes on in Christianity is not from God. As a matter of fact in 1 Corinthians Paul says they need to get over it. So, if that is the case, where does prejudice come from? Satan. Do I need to say anymore?
|
