Pastor's Blog

Prejudice [ˈpre-jə-dəs]: A preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.

In Acts 21 and 22, Paul is confronted by a mob determined to kill him because of his ministry to non-Jews. In his defense, Paul tries to help the crowd recognize their prejudice; not just racial and ethnic prejudice but their preconceived opinions about God and how His plan would unfold. Paul did this by explaining how God forced him to confront and surrender his own prejudices about God, Jesus, and the Kingdom of God. Unfortunately, Paul's listeners were unable to surrender their prejudices and become part of God's Kingdom. Soon their entire religious system, including their temple, would come crashing down.

We all have preconceived opinions about God, about His Kingdom, about ourselves, and about others. Often these prejudices are shaped by our upbringing, our experiences, and our culture. Often we don’t even realize we have them. The question is: When God shines the light of truth on our prejudices, are we willing to surrender them and allow Him to transform us by renewing our minds? If we do, then we can participate in building His Kingdom on earth. If we don't, we risk a fate similar to that of Paul's original audience.

What pre-conceived ideas about God, about His Kingdom, about yourself, or about others does God want you to confront?