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Friday, December 28, 2007

Spiritual Discrimination


Do you, as a Christian, discriminate?

Of course you don't. At least, you think you don't.

My heritage is European and Black Foot Indian. When I became a Christian it never crossed my mind that fellow Christians would find fault with my Indian heritage. But, they have and probably still do.

The foundation of their thought is that all, I mean all, of the sickness, bad "luck", horrible habits etc. come from my genetic predisposition. "Hello" is this for real. I don't see my fellow Christians claiming that every problem my black brother and sisters have comes from their genetic past. Or, the Irish, which I also am, their past of paganism. We can all go back to our genetic past and find fault. Who, out there, is pure of heart?

I was working with a woman,not long ago, who was going through a soul and spirit tie breaking session. All of the sudden she looks at me and says "It's all because of my Indian blood, isn't it." I told her "No" but, others in the room wanted to argue to point. So, many times I have had this kind of thing occur.

This is an excuse for our behavior. "I can't help it. I'm American Indian." Oh, no you don't. If you are a Christian, you have redeemed yourself. The past is just that, the past.

There are such things as generational curses. But, it does not just belong to the American Indian nor is it an excuse. We spiritually discriminate. What a horrible thing that is. So much harm can be done when we spiritually discriminate between our brothers and sisters.

Unfortunately, the truth is,we are all filthy and come short of the glory of God. And to point to one group and say that "it's just because they are...." is not only hurting them it is hurting you. Does our God look upon our brother and hold his DNA against him. Or does God, choose before time, the spirit that is to be put into you. Does God create the DNA that makes up who you are. I don't believe that our spirits are divided into minority groups that are judged by genetic superiority.

Spiritual discrimination...how shallow of us. We do it to ourselves and we do it to others. We need to ask ourselves,if when we minister to others,does spiritual discrimination come into play. Are we making assumptions instead of letting God lead our ministry.

4 comments:

Enemy of the Republic said...

I noticed this when we had a Black preacher come to preach at our church. We are a diverse community, but it was apparent that people had trouble with his style. But I see it as a growing experience for all of us. I also remember a homeless man who wasn't coherent begin to yell things out during the service. I had just started attending the church and I really wanted to see how they would handle that, since we were preaching all this Christian love and we do a lot of mission work in Philly. My pastor simply answered him back and for about 5 minutes, the two of them had a conversation all of their own. Later he sat and talked with him. That's when I knew I had found the right place.

Given55 said...

Enemy of the Republic,
Awesome. My church has had the homeless and quit a few mentally ill. It is good that a pastor loves and comforts them. You are in a church of love. Very awesome.

Lance said...

Amen! Very good. I have choctaw/cherokee in my background. It doesn't make me better or worse than anyone else. We all saved by grace.

Given55 said...

Lance,
Praise God for saving grace.