2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified) says, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a purely human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value). No, even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now we have such knowledge of Him that we know Him no longer in terms of the flesh. Therefore, if any person is ingrafted in Christ (the Messiah), he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old previous moral and spiritual condition has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
2Corinthians 5:1 (Amplified) says, "For we know that if the tent which is our earthly home is destroyed (dissolved), we have from God a building (a house not made with hands), eternal in the heavens."
These scriptures tell us that our body, with it's outward appearance, is nothing more than a house in which the real us resides. We don't fall in love with the houses we live in, but with the one who lives in that house. It should make little difference what color our houses are painted, but the one living in the house should matter. We have houses of black, white, brown, yellow and multitudes of colors in between, living around the world today. Showing prejudice towards the color of anyone's house, shows the greatest degree of Spiritual immaturity.
The enemy has used this for thousands of years, in order to divide us and bring chaos. Paul said that, "We no longer regard any man from a purely human point of view. No, not even Jesus Himself," in 2Corinthians 5:16. Jesus said in John 4:24 (Amplified), "God is a Spirit (a Spiritual Being), and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (reality)."
If you're a Christian and walk in racism, then you're not walking in True worship, no matter how you sing, dress, or live. Being a Christian and walking in racism, is carnality in its highest form of hypocrisy. This is hate wrapped up in a pretty ribbon and is offensive to God. Little kids don't harbor racism or prejudice, but have to be taught to hate. This comes from the parents and the culture, not from God.
As Christians today, we've seemingly lost the identity we have in Christ Jesus and have conformed to the world. God doesn't look on the outward man/woman, but on the heart. One flower might be blue, while another is red. God created both and both are beautiful in His eyes. The world is rife with political correctness and liberal laws, which now dictate how we should talk and act. The Holy Spirit has already said all of this from God's Word, if we would only listen.
God has directed us to, "Speak to one another in Love. We are neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus," in Galatians 3:28 (Amplified). Romans 8:16-17 (Amplified) tells us, "The Spirit Himself thus testifies together with our spirit assuring us that we are God's children. And if we are His children, then we are His heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him, only we must share His suffering if we are to share His Glory."
We read about some of Jesus' suffering in John 8:41 (Amplified), where Jesus says, "I've been doing the things I learned from My Father. You are doing the works of your own father. They said to Him, we are not illegitimate children and born of fornication, we have one Father, even God." This might sound like they're speaking to Jesus about their covenant through Abraham, but they're also accusing Jesus of being born from fornication. Nazareth was a small town and everyone probably knew everyone and everyone's business. They probably all knew that Mary was with child, before being married to Joseph. I'm sure the gossips were asking, "Who is Jesus' real father?" John 8:19 (Amplified) says, "Then they said to him, Where is this Father of Yours? Jesus answered them, You know My Father as little as you know Me. If you knew Me, you would know My Father also."
Jesus was mocked, disdained, accused of being illegitimate and even demon possessed, by His Own kin. We think we have a problem with people talking about us. Some might not understand you and where you're walking with God, but if God is your Judge, then who cares what they think or say. We must walk where God tells us to walk and live like He tells us to live, so we can be pleasing to Him. We will never please mankind, even if we obey all their laws and statutes. Many will never understand you, if you're living for God.
The world is trying it's best, to conform the Church to it's standards. We're told we must accept anyone and anything that the world thinks and tells us to. There are times when we must take a stand for God and say, "No, this is not right and I refuse to accept it in my life." The beliefs of others should never determine how we think and act. We'll always be different to the world, when we walk with God. We're not called to conform to the world, but to be "transformed by the renewing of our minds by the Word of God." Don't be moved by the color a house is painted, but just love the one who lives there.
Jesus said in John 17:16 (Amplified), "You are in this world, but not of the world." If we allow the world's ideas and prejudices to control your thoughts, then you'll never find peace in this life. You'll be tormented by anger most of the time. The news is out to sell sensationalism and make money by doing so. If everyone turned the news off for two weeks, then then our nation would settle down. I'm not saying that there shouldn't be laws and justice in our land, but we shouldn't allow the chaos.
If you're born-again, then you're called to a higher place and a better Law of the Spirit. We can't be conformed to this world, but must be transformed by renewing our minds with God's Word and the Holy Spirit. We must think and act by the Spirit, instead of the world. Even though things here are unsettling and chaotic, God is still on the Throne and He's able to change things, if we do it by His way of doing and being right. Casting Crowns sing, "The only way we'll ever stand is on our knees with lifted hands."
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