My Position in Christ As a Gentile

General Robert E. Lee was a devout follower of Jesus Christ. It is said that soon after the end of the American Civil War, he visited a church in Washington, D.C. During the communion service, he knelt beside a black man. An onlooker said to him later, “How could you do that?… More

Prejudiced

Probably most of us at some point in time have been guilty of being prejudiced and looked down on others thinking that we were better than them. However, no prejudice has ever reflected more hatred and lasted longer than that which has existed between the Jewish and Gentile communities throughout the centuries.

Circumcision which began with Abraham became the distinguishing factor between Jews and Gentiles. It is with this in mind that Paul writes “Gentiles in the flesh” were called “the un-circumcision” (v. 11) Gentiles. He goes on to point out this rite, once used as a sign for spiritual promises is now a superficial thing and of little or no value. Even though a person was a Jew, believed in God, claimed to keep the law and was circumcised did not mean that he was one of God’s children spiritually. His Christianity was purely ritualistic, as it was merely outward and physical (vv. 12-13).

The same is true of people today who claim to be Christians and have even been baptized but have not been born-again by God’s Spirit. They are practicing churchanity but not Christianity. Israel was to be a light to the Gentiles that they might be saved. But sad to say, Israel became like the Gentiles. This should be a warning to the church today. The more the church becomes like the world the less effective it becomes in the world. There are two dimensions to prejudice that every human should come to grips with:

  1. The problem of inferiority. No one, irrespective of race, color, or social position should feel he or she can’t be a part of God’s plan. Jesus accepts every individual who comes to Him.
  2. The problem of pride. Jews and Gentiles alike could be guilty of spiritual pride. Prejudice through pride was even a problem among the Jews who God chose. They thought their faith and traditions elevated them above everyone else. Gentiles trusted in their achievements and power. “God does not show favoritism” (Acts 10:34), and neither should we (James 2:1).

Application

How is my life different than that which the majority of the Jews were living in Paul’s day? In all honesty, is there any group of people that I look down on and think that I am better than they are.

Ephesians 2:11-13 (English Standard Version)


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