Although I wasn’t raised in a Christian home, I was raised with good morals. And the “Golden Rule” was very much a part of my upbringing. My mother used to say to me, “Marjie, would you like someone else to treat you like that?” No. “Then don’t treat others that way. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It wasn’t until years later when I was saved and growing in the Lord that I realized that the “Golden Rule” was in the Bible and that my mother was actually paraphrasing the words of Jesus from Matthew 7:12 when He said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…”
From the time I was a child, my mother taught me that people are people, regardless of their skin color. As far back as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed friendship with people of all colors. So one of the hardest mindsets for me to understand is racial prejudice. How can one person dislike another because of his skin color? That concept does not compute. But I know that as long as there is sin in the world, we will never eradicate prejudice; not that the government wants to. Whether we recognize it or not, the government actually promotes racial prejudice.
But what does the Bible teach about it? Besides reiterating the golden rule, Galatians 5:14 says, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus clarifies the word “neighbor.” (Luke 10:36-37) You wouldn’t want someone harming you, your family, or your reputation in anyway, so if you love your neighbor, you wouldn’t treat them that way either. And according to Jesus, your neighbor is any other human being.
So it stuns me when someone is cruel to another just because of the color of their skin. But I find it absolutely appalling when a black person exhibits extreme prejudice against anyone for simply being a different color. If anyone should know how it feels to be unfairly judged and condemned based on their skin color, it’s a black person. They may feel justified in treating someone like they were treated, but when they dump their venom on someone who doesn’t share their prejudice, what are they accomplishing?
I’m currently dealing with a couple of those venom-filled, prejudice types at work. They gossip about me behind my back, spread lies about me, and report me for anything they can fabricate or embellish to get me in trouble. Last year, my job was fun, and I tremendously enjoyed it. This year, it’s not quite as enjoyable because of those coworkers who are bent on making things difficult for me just because my skin is a different color than theirs.
However, the Bible also addresses that topic. Romans 12:17-19 says, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” I won’t accomplish anything by striking back. God is taking care of me. And He will also take care of them.