If you take the concept of political correctness at face value, it is a good thing. If being politically correct means that we treat people of different backgrounds with respect and do not stereotype them based on their race or gender, then it is in fact, very biblical.
But this is not the real intention of our modern, politically correct movement.
In truth, this movement is designed to intimidate people into using language that has been pre-approved. Political correctness tends to be completely focused on human sensitivity and self-esteem. When you focus on human sensitivity and self, you eliminate God from your life.
Emphasizing human sensitivity and adjusting our terminology will not produce self-esteem or self-respect. Self-acceptance stems first and foremost from our knowledge of who we are in Jesus Christ. That is why true followers of Christ must not engage in this absurdity and shallowness. We must declare openly and without shame that all those who are in Christ Jesus are brothers and sisters in Him. Everyone who knows Jesus, whether they are men or women, young or old, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American — or from any other background — are equal in His sight. Each will share equally in the inheritance of their heavenly Father's estate. That is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Before the politically correct crowd was ever born, believers loved one another. We didn't love because we were pressured by society to do it. We loved because Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35). We must continue to declare to the world that God does not judge us by outward appearance, but He judges us based on our faith in Him. Faith is our common denominator, not political correctness.
Historical revisionists and liberal Bible scholars are trying to apply modern-day values to the Word of God and to historical facts. They remove all of the pieces they don't like. May we be warned: If we continue on this path, we will end up with a pack of lies and our children will not learn the truth about the Word of God or the history of this nation.
Scripture is clear. In 2 Timothy, Paul warns his young friend to not be ashamed to preach the Gospel, saying: "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths" (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
It is politically incorrect to say that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life — but it is the truth. Only His truth changes lives and unlocks the beauty of our full worth as men and women who are made in His image. Only He can change our hearts so we are able to love our neighbors.
We must remember that the only thing that counts is true faith "expressing itself through love" (Galatians 5:6).
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Excerpted from My Journal, a monthly devotional magazine from Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef.
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