Bulletin Articles
AN APPEAL FOR DISCRIMINATION
AN APPEAL FOR DISCRIMINATION
Did that title get your attention? Good! I want you to consider a subject which is greatly misunderstood in our modern culture, i.e. “discrimination.” We told nearly every day that, “All discrimination is wrong.” Well I, for one, don’t buy it! It is certainly true that SOME forms of discrimination are absolutely wrong – but it does not logically follow that ALL discrimination is wrong. In fact, the Bible DEMANDS a certain amount of discrimination from us! Note: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hb.5:14).
The word, “discern,” in the text above means: “a distinguishing, a clear discrimination, discerning, judging” (Vine; emphasis mine, LS). In fact, Mr. Vine even comments on this very text, when he says, “In Heb 5:14 the phrase consisting of pros, with this noun, lit., ‘towards a discerning,’ is translated ‘to discern,’ said of those who are capable of discriminating between good and evil.” Since we are commanded to be “discriminating” Christians, I think that it is in order to examine the whole notion of “discrimination,” and make an appeal for MORE discrimination – of the right kind, of course!
First, everyone discriminates in some fashion! We discriminate when we pick a clothing style that we feel suits us. We discriminate at the restaurant, when we pick one menu item over another. We discriminate at our television, when we pick one show over another. We discriminate among people, when we choose one type of friend over another. We discriminate among hairstyles, when we choose one which suits our tastes. By now, it should be clear that we ALL discriminate – AND that discrimination is not always bad!
But prejudicial discrimination is evil and unacceptable! The word, “prejudice,” means to “pre-judge” some person or thing unfairly, without the benefit of all the facts (Jn.7:24,51). These verses clearly indicate the need for information which goes beyond “appearance,” and actually considers what is “righteous.” They also indicate the need to “hear” both sides before making a judgment. Paul said it this way, “I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality” (1Tm.5:21). There are many examples of prejudicial discrimination. People are discriminated against on the basis of race (“All whites are racists”), education (“All high school drop-outs are worthless”), sex (“All women are bimbos”), age (“All young people are stubborn”), economic status (“All poor people are lazy”), or religion (“All Christians are hypocrites”).
Yet, truth-based discrimination is required! In John 7:24, Jesus not only condemned judging by appearance, but He also commanded that we make righteous judgments! For instance, there is a level of sex-discrimination taught in the Bible (1Tm.2:11-12). This is not based on some prejudicial notion of “female inferiority,” but is rooted in the order of creation (v.13), as well as the order of transgression (v.14). Those who respect God will live by this rule. There is also a level of age-discrimination taught in the Bible! Those who would serve as bishops (overseers) are to be taken from among the more mature (1Tm.3:4-6). This is not based on some prejudicial notion of “youthful inferiority,” but is rooted in respect for the older and wiser among us (cp. Lv.19:32). Those who respect God will live by this rule. There is a level of economic-discrimination taught in the Bible! Those who refuse to work are NOT to be financially assisted (2Th.3:10)! This is not based on the mere fact that he is poor, but also considers his character. In other words, if a man is poor because he refuses to work, the Bible says let him starve! Those who respect God will live by this rule. Finally, there is also a level of religious-discrimination taught in the Bible (Jn.14:6)! This is based not based on some man-made notion of superiority. Instead, it is rooted in truth, reality, and fact; for Jesus is, in fact, the only way to God! Discriminatory? You bet! Prejudicial? Hardly! It considers the character of a man, judging him righteously, personally, and individually. Those who respect God will live by this rule.
Finally, GOD will discriminate in the final judgment (Mt.25:31-46)! He will “separate” the “sheep” (good) from the “goats” (bad). This will require Him to discriminate between those who do right and those who do wrong. Good conduct will be rewarded, and bad conduct will be punished. But you can rest assured that while God WILL discriminate, He will NOT be prejudicial (Rm.2:5-11)!
Let us all strive to be “discriminating Christians” – exercising our senses “to discern both good and evil” (Hb.5:14). At the same time, let there be NO prejudice among us (cf. Jm.2:1-13)!
--Lanny Smith
