Bigotry and Reason

In his first epistle, Peter reminded Christians that God's eyes are on the righteous and His ears are open to their prayers--but His face is against those who do evil.  1 Peter 3:13-16 then says, "And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." ¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ¹⁶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed."  The apostle urged believers not to be afraid or troubled by threats of others.  When we are questioned concerning our convictions, beliefs and lifestyle, we can share our reasons with a good conscience with meekness.

Peter did not say Christians "might" be defamed or vilified but people in the world will treat those who do not go agree with them as evildoers.  I recently saw a Christian athlete be defamed for taking a stand on God's word and was slurred as a bigot.  What I find interesting about that term in particular is how the usage of it has changed.  These days it conveys one who is intolerant of others and against them, whilst the 1828 Webster's Dictionary emphasises the opposite:  "A person who is obstinately and unreasonably wedded to a particular religious creed, opinion, practice or ritual. The word is sometimes used in an enlarged sense, for a person who is illiberally attached to any opinion, or system of belief."  A bigot is not one who is against others as much as stubbornly holding to a view--despite reasonable evidence to the contrary.

Knowing God's eyes are on the righteous and He will hear our prayers, we should not be concerned or worried when we are slandered for holding to the unchanging truth of God's word that is foolishness to this world.  We aren't to be arrogant or boastful--seeking to shame others for sin--but that our humble and meek conduct should put to shame those who revile us.  If someone accuses you of hate or bigotry for walking in love as we follow the example of Jesus, we do not need to quarrel or become defensive due to pride.  We can stand firmly on the word of God and have a clean conscience because we are living with integrity before our God and fellow man.  We can praise God others have noticed a difference in us that grates upon them that provides an open door to testify of God's wisdom and goodness.

There are some Christians who try to find a middle ground with the world, to make compromises and concessions to avoid offence--which is offensive to God.  Paul spoke of a spiritual reality in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17:  "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. ¹⁵ For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? ¹⁷ For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ."  When it comes to God's word we are not like salesmen who try to make their product as appealing as possible to make a profit, but those whose words and deeds are governed by Jesus who is our Life.  Jesus was never politically correct, but who else has the words of life?  Faith in Christ is not bigotry, for He is most reasonable.