It's How I Was Raised

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.(1 Peter 3:8)

Have you allowed your upbringing or experiences to prejudice you against a particular group of people? Women? Men? The poor? The rich? Asians? Jews? Black or White? Prejudice leads to hatred and a lack of compassion toward others. To the contrary, God's people are to be known for their love and compassion. Surrendering your life to God means recognizing and relinquishing your prejudices. Your spiritual transformation will be stunted until you let go of your prejudices toward any people group. Seeing your own prejudices doesn't come easy. You need to ask God and those close to you to help you see areas of prejudice in your life. Once you see them, confess them and ask God to change your heart. (Steve Arterburn-New Life Ministries) This U.S. presidential election Of 2016 has caused many unpleasant attitudes and character flaws to rise up. "True colors" are showing and with it bitter hatred and accusations. People are aligning with one party or the other based upon traditional values and upbringings. However, for the Christ-follower, there is no room for past prejudices or cultural divisions. In Christ, there is either born-again or not! In Jesus' day you were Jew or Greek. Now, there is a disciple (follower) of Christ or not. There is no room for a white CHRISTian or black CHRISTian. There is no room for the democratic or republican CHRISTIan. A follower of CHRIST is FIRST a CHRIST follower! His ways . . . His doctrine . . His guidelines take precedent over tradition, culture, family and any other influence that MAY have had it a hold on us. As we examine our hearts, we must be honest with ourselves and deal with the sin of our upbringing and even past experiences. "That's how I was raised" is not an EXCUSE to sin, but rather a REASON to repent! There is NO ROOM in the Body of CHRIST for cultural or racial divides . . .there simply is not!