Lesson 253: "Segragation"
Before you decide that I have slid over onto the biased edge of the scripture, please read this study in its entirety. Always I look for material for a bible study when I am driving down a lonely stretch of Texas “highways”. Remembering that in the area I live the roads are two lanes with farming and ranching country on both sides you can understand that I have time to notice anything unusual that might pop up. One of these unusual sights was the pasture filled with black cows and white cows. Of course black cows and white cows are not unusual but the fact that they were not mingling was interesting. The herd of white cows grazed contentedly on one part of the grass while the herd of black cows tasted the feeding ground on another part of the acreage. Staying alert for more “clues” of segregation I realized that the white fields of cotton were completely separate from the green fields of newly planted winter wheat. As we near the city we find that even the housing districts are segregated with building codes, animal control (or not) and even some have rules, regulations and laws about shrubs and/or fences depending on whether or not they will cause obstruction/hazard/danger to pedestrians and drivers.
Does the bible teach segregation? God drove out the many nations, larger and stronger than the Israelites that He had brought out of Egypt. These were pagan nations and God’s people were commanded not to intermarry with them for they would turn your sons away from following the Lord to serve other gods and the Lord’s anger would burn against them and quickly destroy them (Deut. 7:1-4). The command against intermarriage assumes something about human nature. Paul stated the reasoning very well; “don’t you know a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” (1 Cor. 5:6)? Marriage to an unbelieving Canaanite meant disaster for an Israelite’s faith. Moses reminded the people that the Lord’s righteous sword cuts both ways. The Canaanites were being judged for their wickedness and if the Israelites joined them in wickedness they too would join them in judgment. Therefore everything, even the Canaanites’ religions objects, which might arouse the slightest curiosity about false worship, were to be totally wiped out; destroyed; done away with. Segregation is most usually associated with racism but the word actually means to separate yourself from and can be properly used in the message from John; “if anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him” and “dear friends, do not imitate what is evil but what is good” (2 John 10, 3 John 11). Have nothing to do with those who have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Tim. 3:5). Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales (1 Tim. 4:7). Do not associate with those who does not obey the gospel but do not regard him as an enemy (2 Thess. 3:14-15). Do not be yoked together with unbelievers….come out from them and be separate (2 Cor. 6:14).
Now we have seen many things in the scripture that we should avoid we must not confuse segregation with prejudice or favoritism. God does not show favoritism (Rom. 2:11) and we should accept those whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters (Rom. 14:1). Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position and do not be conceited (Rom. 12:16). Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves (Phil. 2:3), having the same attitude as Jesus Christ. Do not gossip, slander, spread malice or become heartless and ruthless (Rom. 1:29-32). We are not to call any man unclean or impure (Acts 10:28b) for ALL who believe in the Lord Jesus will be saved, not just certain people from certain cultures or countries (Acts 16:31). The Holy Spirit came to convict the WORLD of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment and not just one tiny space on this earth (John 16:8). If we love one another deeply from the heart and not by the race we will be in obedience to the Word of God (1 Pet. 1:22) and favoritism will not enter into our thinking. “If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes…have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts (James 2:1-4)?
In accordance with the Word of God we should put aside all things in our lives except the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law! If we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (Gal. 5:16-26). Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (Col. 3:12-15) and all favoritism, prejudices and segregation will vanish from our presence. Spur one another on, letting God be the Judge (Heb. 10:24, 30)! We believers need only to concern ourselves about completing the work we have received from the Lord (Col. 4:17) and there will be little time for concerning ourselves with whether others are doing “what we think is right” or if we are doing “what others think is right”. “We are not trying to please men but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thess. 2:4).