Cleanse Me Of My Secret Sins: Prejudice & Racism
by Edward Rhymes(1)Christian Cultural Proficiency Institute
The sins of prejudice and racism have had a profound impact on our lives in this society (but what can we expect from a world that Apostle John said " lies in wickedness " ). The very uncomfortable and sometimes inconvenient truth is that in the history of the Church we have had to wrestle with this same foul spirit. If we take the opportunity to look at the life and ministry of Peter we get an idea of how deep-seated this stronghold is. In Acts the 10 th chapter we see God sending visions to both Cornelius and Peter. Cornelius' vision has nothing to do with overcoming prejudice, but rather a declaration that God had taken note of his prayers and his charity. In contrast, Peter's vision went straight to the heart of his prejudices and preconceived notions about race and those who are truly blessed by God (included in this vision was the declaration of Jehovah God: " what I have cleansed, don't you call unclean " ). Peter was obedient to the heavenly vision and thus began the Church's commitment to the affirmation in Romans 10:12 & Galatians 3:28: " there is no difference between Jew and the Greek, " " there is neither Jew nor Greek. "
However, the Holy Spirit had to reveal this same truth to the Jewish brethren in Jerusalem as they contended with Peter concerning his contact with the " uncircumcised " Gentiles (Acts 11: 1-3). It is our prayer that we would all show the obedience to word and Spirit of God that they did, When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, " Then God has a/so granted to the Gentiles repentance to life. " (Acts 11:18 NKJV). What a beautiful example of unity and submission! What a powerful testimony to the " one accord " of which the Bible speaks concerning the Church.
You would think that this would be the end of the story for Peter and prejudice: placed in a trance; received a vision from heaven; a declaration from God to not call what he has cleansed, unclean; saw the Holy Spirit fall on the " uncircumcised " house of Cornelius as it did on them at Pentecost; used mightily by God to bring understanding to the Jewish brethren concerning the truth of the Church of God, the body of Christ, but it was not. After all that Peter experienced, we see, in the book of Galatians, Peter is still wrestling with this spirit of bigotry: When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, " You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? - Galatians 2:11-15 (NIV).
If anybody could recognize and understand that spirit of segregation and prejudice, Paul could. He recounts his testimony in the 1 st chapter of this same book of Galatians: " For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers (Galatians 1:13- 14 NIV). " One would think that of the two, Paul would have to be corrected by Peter. Paul had not received the vision that Peter did and Peter did not have to overcome the same strict adherence to Jewish law and customs that Paul had to, and yet we see that it is Peter that is still grappling with this " weight and sin " that is inconsistent with " the truth of the gospel. " We also see that the spirit of bigotry does not stay isolated, " The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. " Precious soul, like cancer, sin spreads damaging once healthy organisms. What makes the sin of prejudice and racism any different?
What we see in the story of Peter is how deep the roots of prejudice go; even to the point of opposition to the revealed will and word of God. Let us further remember that Peter walked with our Lord when He was present here in the flesh. He heard Jesus' declaration concerning the faith of the Roman centurion (Matthew 8: 6-13); he saw the Master's powerful response to the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15: 21-28); and he witnessed how He ministered to the reviled Samaritans (John 4: 7-39) - not to mention the experience in the 10 th & 11 th chapters of Acts as well - and still he is being purged of his prejudice. It is my contention that Peter, like most people who are faced with this challenge, are somewhat unconscious of the existence and depth of their prejudices. Peter's example should stand as a cautionary tale to all those who have not addressed the issues of race and ethnicity nearly as much as Peter, nor received a fraction of the revelation that he did, to humble themselves and pray as David did in Psalm 19:12: " Who can discern his lapses and errors? Clear me from hidden [and unconscious] faults (Amplified). "
However, just as Peter ultimately said yes to the Spirit's revelation in Acts, it appears that the admonition of Paul (inspired, in my opinion, by the same Holy Spirit) did not cause division or bitterness, but rather the same Spirit of submission that Peter consistently responded with (0' Lord, let that be our testimony!). We read in the 2 nd epistle of Peter. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:15-16 NIV). " - " All letters " would include Galatians.
The justifications and rationalizations of " that's just the way I was raised, " or " everybody has prejudices, " do not stand up to the gospel standard of Christian conduct or the example of Christ. To blindly dismiss the assertions of those who see prejudice and racism as a clear and present danger within American society and the Christian community, is to ignore the plain revelation of history and the clear admonitions of scripture. Yes, Peter was a faithful follower of Christ; loved by our Master and Savior and given the responsibility of strengthening his brethren and feeding the sheep and lambs of the body of Christ. This is precisely why the Holy Spirit continually dealt with Peter: because of God's great love for him and also Peter's tremendous responsibility. In his position of authority and leadership, the Holy Spirit knew of the lives he would come in contact with; the people he would influence. That which we do not allow God to purge from us, will in turn poison us and others. There are many church leaders today who have either been indifferent to this need or have ignored the Hoiy Spirifs pleading altogether. As result of this, they have cheated themselves (and those who follow them) out of untold blessings in the Spirit and have wounded countless others, to the shame of the Church and the anguish of the Spirit. Imagine if Peter would have responded in the way many of our leaders do today.
Christians, especially those in America, are being challenged to come to terms with prejudice and racism, and like Peter, they are having to overcome a national (and sometimes a familial) history replete with the " commandments of men " concerning race and ethnicity that were taught (and still being taught) as " doctrine. " The Church needs people such as Paul who will boldly and lovingly confront the sins of prejudice and bigotry, for Christ's sake and the glory of the Father. We also need, people who will, like Peter, respond with the same submission to the word and will of God. To this end, we have been called: " Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and In you all (Ephesians 4: 3-6 21 st Century KJV). "
Article submitted Monday, August 17, 2009 & read 538 times.
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» left by Marijo Phelps(250)(346 days 13 hours ago.)
Glad to see you on World Wide Bible Studies! To think I have "found" your writings twice in one day and have been challenged and encouraged! MarijoRespond to this comment
» left by Edward Rhymes(1) (344 days 15 hours ago.)
Marijo,
Thank you and God bless you. I am so glad I can be iron to your iron and brother to you, my sister. Keep up the wonderful work and writings that you do.
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» left by Anonymous (345 days 2 hours ago.)
Hi Edward, welcome to World-wide bible studies. Thank you for this well laid out lesson. It is a sad truth that prejudice is in the church. The other aspect of Peter's actions is rooted in the fear Peter had of what others thought of him. (going back to the cross and denial of Jesus)Thankfully, through a strong and continued relationship with Christ and Peter's response to Paul's correction, we see what a mighty and unwaivering witness Peter became. It is a lesson we can all use to admonish our brothers and sisters in Christ. Well done. Keep sharing. Blessings to you! TeresaRespond to this comment
» left by Edward Rhymes(1) (344 days 15 hours ago.)
Thanks Teresa. Yes, it is sad that we struggle with this sin, even amongst the body of Christ. But we have the word of God and the Holy Spirit (and one another, by the Holy Spirit) to correct us and encourage us. I am thankful for your encouragement and kind words. God Bless and keep you my dear sister.
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» left by Lance Ponder(94) (344 days 21 hours ago.)
One of my favorite verses on the topic of racism is Acts 17:26 "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation" - KJVRespond to this comment
» left by Edward Rhymes(1) (344 days 15 hours ago.)
Thanks Lance. It is a foundational scripture when it comes to humanity and us as believers. God bless you brother.
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