Is Political Correctness Biblical?

Last updated on: September 28, 2016 at 12:23 pm by Jack Wellman

Is Political Correctness Biblical? 2016-09-28T12:23:21-05:00 Jack Wellman

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Is political correctness biblical or even fair?

Walking on Eggshells

We are so easily offended today that we can hardly say anything without offending someone. We’re so afraid of saying anything that we often say nothing, but if we are so afraid to say anything, it’s like we standing on egg shells, but that won’t ever stop me from writing for the Lord, Jesus Christ. Just read some of the comments that others leave, especially on Christian articles, and you can see why this is so. It’s so amazing that unbelievers are so easily offended and angered, and some, even bitter over Someone that they don’t even believe exists. I suppose by that rationale, they would persecute children who believe in Santa Clause, so we believers shouldn’t be surprised by this because Jesus told us what to expect as He said “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18), Why not take the higher road and thank them who spew such venomous and hateful attacks against you and over Someone they don’t even believe in. They have just fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy. God knows the human heart (Jer 17:9), so we shouldn’t be surprised when they come after you if you believe in Christ. The Apostle Peter reminds us to “not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you” (1st John 3:13). For me, I could care less what unbelievers think, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care for them, and I certainly don’t hate them just because they don’t believe. That is their right, just as it’s our right to believe. They think its okay for them not to believe but it’s not okay for us to believe. Rejoice because they actually bring us a blessing as Peter wrote, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1st Pet 4:14), so thank you to those who persecute us for Jesus’ sake. You’ve simply brought a great blessing to us, and that’s the way we should look at it.

Loving our Enemies

Christians are no better than unbelievers, and honestly, I have no hate for anyone who doesn’t believe. In fact, no Christian should ever hate anyone as the Apostle John wrote, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1st John 3:15). Jesus takes this even further by saying, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt 5:44), because “if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same” (Matt 5:46-47)? In other words, even unbelievers love their own family, so we’re to go above and beyond that by loving those who hate us and doing good to those who do evil do us (typically by their words). Neither Jesus nor am I suggesting that you seek out persecution or have a martyrs complex. All you have to do is to speak the truth, and it will come.

Hated for His Sake

Why not trust in God and speak what He says in His Word and not worry about what others will think. It doesn’t matter, in fact, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:10) and “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account” (Matt 5:11). Simply thank them for the blessing and pray for them (as we’re commanded to do). Rather, when you are hated for His sake, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt 5:12). Christians don’t wish any harm on anyone. If they do, they better examine themselves to see if they’re really in the faith (2nd Cor 13:5). It is God Who will deal with them, not us, so Christians, “never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink” (Rom12:19-20). Instead of retaliating with hateful words, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them” (Rom 12:14), and by all means, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21), and “Repay no one evil for evil” (Rom 12:17).

Is Political Correctness Correct?

I would rather be correct than worry about political correctness. Christians are called to speak the truth in love, even if it offends unbelievers. I don’t mean we should be prejudiced or spew harsh words against those who differ from us because it’s not a matter of race…it’s a matter of grace. God didn’t make different races. That’s a manmade idea. We’re all of one race; the human race (Acts 17:26). We should love all people and do good to whoever it is, even if they despise us and hate us (and they will!). When the apostles were beaten for their faith in Christ, they didn’t whine or complain, rather, “they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41), and that’s what we are to do, so “if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” (1st Pet 4:16), and don’t lower yourself to the level of those who rant and rave and call you all sorts of names. It’s to be expected and besides, it comes with tremendous blessings (Matt 5:10-12).

Conclusion

Christians are not called to hate sinners, because we must remember that we are still sinners too (1st John 1:8, 10), and even though we’re not sinless, we should be sinning less year by year. We have no reason to judge unbelievers. God will judge them. That is not our job. Instead, we are to fight hate with love, persecution with prayer, indifference with compassion, and bad with good. We’re called to love our enemies and not hate them.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.

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