Bigotry

<<intolerance>>

Bigotry is a biased or prejudiced view expressed by a bigot. Such people have an obstinate mindset of intolerance to those of a different nationality, or who have ideas, opinions and beliefs differing to their own. The Jewish leaders of Jesus day were narrow minded and refused to acknowledge the truth.

The moral of the Good Samaritan parable was to see and attend to the need of the person who requires assistance, overlooking any visible difference of race, culture or religion so that doesn't become an excuse not to help (Lk 10:30-37).

Paul's teaching to the Christians was, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11). Nothing, be it race, education, income, social status, language, political differences is to provide the platform from which bigotry separates God’s people. We are

God does not show favourtism (nor should we) – Acts 10:34,35

all equal before the cross of Christ, continually in need of His mercy and thankfully "whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom 10:13). It is always easier to see and draw attention to the unacceptable or intolerant viewpoints in other people. But the Bible teaches the priority is to take responsibility for our lives first, examining our ownselves before criticising others (Mt 7:3-5). May we all do some prayerful soul-searching in this area.

Our beliefs should be firmly grounded in and provable from the Bible – the source of spiritual truth. Hence we are to study and correctly understand the Bible besides giving sound yet gracious answers to those who ask us about our belief in Christ (Col 4:6; 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Pet 3:15). The only time we should be accused of being a bigot is when we are speaking forth the definite commands of God – even then it must be done in an uncondemning loving manner. The Bible refers to this as, "Speaking the truth in love" (Eph 4:15).