Prejudice, discrimination, racism, sexism, classism.
There is something within the very nature of man that seeks to categorize and label others. This may be an okay exercuse, however, all too often we define people by their label. Labels may be helpful in understanding and relating to differences, but we will have trouble when we begin to define each other by those differences. I come from an upper middle-class background, but I am not one who is defined by my parents income. One of the biggest frustrations I had growing up was when I brought friends over and received their ensuing assumptions about me. No I'm not prideful or arrogant, no I'm not even wealthy myself, and yes I am generous with the little I do have. You see we are all thrown into this world knowing nothing, and in an attempt to understand people we make shortcuts and label them with definitions. I have best friends from all genders, economic classes, races, and orientations, but, surprise, not one of these common "definitions" fit them.
The Gospel means that Jesus broke the perceived significance of all labels. "No longer are there Jew or gentile, but all are one in Christ Jesus." Too often Christians are complacent in this conversation. The American church tends to be one of the least diverse places you can visit in a given city. Christ meant for a reversal of this. Christ meant for us to live as one in spite of our differences. Again, "Christ died once for all people."
As the people of God we ought to stop categorizing and marginalizing others for God-given attributions. All things come from God, from the deaf, to the lame, to the white, to the black. We are all created differently and equally. It is flat out sin to consider yourself of more importance because of your possession of an attribute not shared by others. May I remind you, "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." All hold equal weight to being considered sinners. Since all are sinners, what is it for me to say, "I have more money, and therefore more significance then you." Absent from the blood of Jesus we all stand equally condemned. For the love of God stop marginalizing others, love in the same vivacity that God loved you.
Often because of sin we begin to marginalize others for inherent qualities that can't be helped. Unity and redemption, on the other hand, is only found in the work of Jesus on the cross. It is the love of Christ that ought to compel us to love all people.
