Contrast the fact of Moses’
marriage to Zipporah with the Lord’s displeasure with the Israelites when they
took wives of the foreign people in the last part of the book of Ezra. Chapter 9:1 describes the issue this way,
they had “not kept themselves separate from the neighboring
peoples with their detestable practices”. Verse 11 gives the specific command from God, “‘The
land which you are entering to possess is an unclean land, with the uncleanness
of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from
one end to another with their impurity. Now
therefore, do not give your daughters as wives for their sons, nor take their
daughters to your sons; and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may
be strong and eat the good of the land, and leave it as an inheritance
to your children forever.” Verse 14 asks, “Shall we then break your
commands again and intermarry with the peoples who commit such detestable
practices?”
With consideration to both of
these situations, it is crystal clear that it’s not ethnicity but allegiance to
Him that makes the difference to God. God does not want His holy people led into spiritual infidelity with
those who participate in heathen practices.
It doesn’t matter where
you come from or who you come from. Acts
10:34 & 35 confirm this, ‘Then Peter opened his
mouth and said: “In truth I perceive
that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever
fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”’
Outward
appearance, including skin color, really is a non-issue to the Lord. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “For the Lord does not see
as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
As we seek to be more like Him, it seems that skin color would become less
of an issue to us too.
Here are a few more scripture references that support this truth:
·
Acts 17:26-28 says: And (God) hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell
on all the face of the earth.
·
1 Corinthians 12:13 says: For by
one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether
slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
·
Galatians 3:26-29: For you are all sons of God
through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were
baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there
is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And
if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to
the promise.
So according to
scripture, God shows no partiality. He
has made us of one blood, baptized us into one body, & made us to drink
into one spirit. Since we – that is you, me and anyone else who has accepted
Jesus as Lord and Savior - are in Christ, we are all accepted by Him. With that as the case, shouldn’t we accept
each other? God proves throughout His Word
that He loves the people who make up His body – all of us. Any doctrine contrary to that, truly is a
doctrine of demons. Realize that the
enemy wants the body of Christ to be divided by any means possible. Don’t let him use racial issues to deceive you
into helping him.
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