How is it that you ask me for a drink?

"Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)" (John 4:9 NAS95)

Observation:  I suppose the equivalent of this statement might be...

"How is it that you, being a Christian, ask me for a drink since I am a Morman?" or...

"How is it that you, being a Christian, ask me for a drink since I am a Muslim?" 

And, the list of possibilities for this formula could go on.  The point is that we still experience prejudice and bigotry today.  It's not just about skin tone, it's also about belief system.  And some of the greatest prejudice that I have seen is from Christians toward other religions.  

This makes me think of a conversation I had with a church member the other night regarding Ellen White.  This member suggested that Sister White declares that we should watch our words and ways in relation to our Catholic brothers and sisters.  Here is what I found as I looked up this topic:

It is true that we are commanded to "cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." Isaiah 58:1. This message must be given; but while it must be given, we should be careful not to thrust and crowd and condemn those who have not the light that we have. We should not go out of our way to make hard thrusts at the Catholics. Among the Catholics there are many who are most conscientious Christians and who walk in all the light that shines upon them, and God will work in their behalf. Those who have had great privileges and opportunities, and who have failed to improve their physical, mental, and moral powers, but who have lived to please themselves and have refused to bear their responsibility, are in greater danger and in greater condemnation before God than those who are in error upon doctrinal points, yet who seek to live to do good to others. Do not censure others; do not condemn them.  {9T 243.3} 

Application:  When I read this statement I think of this room I am sitting in.  It once belonged to Joe Chavez, a conscientious Catholic Christian who did great good in our community of La Jara, CO.  He was so well respected that they named our street after him.  Joe truly had the heart of Jesus.  Visiting folk.  Bringing them donuts and other goodies.  Offering them hope.  I think if more Christians and more Adventists were like Joe, the world would be a far far better place.  

There is also our neighbor Eleanor.  She goes out of her way to bring blessing to the community of La Jara.  I thank got for my Catholic brothers and sisters, and while I want them to experience the fullness of the gospel of grace that I have come to know, I in no way want to beat them up or tear them down.  My prayer is that Jesus will make a way.  That out of genuine love and fellowship, He will open the door for His light of truth to shine forth into their lives and into mine.  

Another very powerful statement is this one from the book of Evangelism:

Avoid Unnecessary Barriers.--We should not, upon entering a place, build up unnecessary barriers between us and other denominations, especially the Catholics, so that they think we are their avowed enemies. We should not create a prejudice in their minds unnecessarily, by making a raid upon them. There are many among the Catholics who live up to the light they have far better than many who claim to believe present truth, and God will just as surely test and prove them as He has tested and proved us.-- Manuscript 14, 1887.  {Ev 144.1}  

This statement expresses the reality that God's people are everywhere and we must be very careful not to pass judgment upon those who do not share our beliefs and convictions.  We must pray for them.  We must bless them.  We must share with them as the Holy Spirit leads but we are in no way to degrade them.  

I think of what Sister White says about what Michael, the archangel, said to Satan when he came to take Moses to heaven:

For the first time Christ was about to give life to the dead. As the Prince of life and the shining ones approached the grave, Satan was alarmed for his supremacy. With his evil angels he stood to dispute an invasion of the territory that he claimed as his own. He boasted that the servant of God had become his prisoner. He declared that even Moses was not able to keep the law of God; that he had taken to himself the glory due to Jehovah--the very sin which had caused Satan's banishment from heaven--and by transgression had come under the dominion of Satan. The archtraitor reiterated the original charges that he had made against the divine government, and repeated his complaints of God's injustice toward him.  {PP 478.3}  

     

Christ did not stoop to enter into controversy with Satan. He might have brought against him the cruel work which his deceptions had wrought in heaven, causing the ruin of a vast number of its inhabitants. He might have pointed to the falsehoods told in Eden, that had led to Adam's sin and brought death upon the human race. He might have reminded Satan that it was his own work in tempting Israel to murmuring and rebellion, which had wearied the long-suffering patience of their leader, and in an unguarded moment had surprised him into the sin for which he had fallen under the power of death. But Christ referred all to His Father, saying, "The Lord rebuke thee." Jude 9. The Saviour entered into no dispute with His adversary, but He then and there began His work of breaking the power of the fallen foe, and bringing the dead to life. Here was an evidence that Satan could not controvert, of the supremacy of the Son of God. The resurrection was forever made certain. Satan was despoiled of his prey; the righteous dead would live again.  {PP 478.4}  

     

I thank and praise Jesus that He did not get into a religious controversy with Satan.  He just did the work that His Father had called Him to do.  In the same way, we are not to enter into debate, or contention with one another in the church.  As Paul says, "Let each be convicted in his own mind," and then from that point we need to be about proclaiming the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  Sometimes we are so adamant to defend the truth that we forget what the truth says:

"For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth." (2 Corinthians 13:8 NAS95)

Whether a professor, teacher, or other scholar says something contrary to the truth, does not change the truth.  We should be more concerned about teaching our children how to cling to truth, than coming against those who might be seeking to oppose the truth.  And as we deal with those who don't share our convictions of truth, we must manifest the same Spirit of Christ that doesn't seek to enter into controversy, but rather simply does what God has called us to do.  And that is to "speak the truth" in love.  After all, if we are ever to win over those who disagree with us, it will not be with an attitude of superiority or condemnation.  

Prayer:  O Dear Father, give us the Spirit of Christ.  Let us love those who disagree with us, pray for them, and bless them. in Your name, AMEN!