Would Jesus discriminate? A local road sign posed this question here in southwest Florida. It is a good question to which we find an answer in God’s Word. The English word discriminate dates back to 1628. Webster’s 1913 dictionary defined it: “To set apart as being different; to separate from another by discerning differences; to distinguish” (Cowper) and “To discriminate the goats from the sheep” (Barrow). Today many view the word discrimination in a negative light. Dictionary.com defines it: “To make a distinction in favor of or against a person or thing on the basis of the group, class, or category to which the person or thing belongs rather than according to actual merit; show partiality.” Certainly some kinds of discrimination are wrong (race, gender, age), while other types are right, such as “using good judgment.”

In answering our question, “Would Jesus discriminate”, we find His answer given to us clearly in the Word of God. In John 3:16 Jesus told Nicodemus, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Two verses later, Jesus said, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already.” John 3:36 tells us that those “that believe on the Son have everlasting life” and those that “believe not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abides on him.”

In Matthew 25:32-33 Jesus spoke of His return and His dividing the nations into the sheep and the goats. To the sheep He said, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (v. 34). And to the goats He said, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (v. 41). According to His own words, we see that Jesus does discriminate. He makes a distinction between the sheep and the goats at His coming as well as those that believe on Him and those that do not believe today. This distinction results in their eternal destiny.

 Would Jesus discriminate? No, not the newly fabricated “21st Century” Jesus many have reshaped to ease their consciences, calm their fears and accommodate their sin. He would not speak a condemning word like, “Depart from me; I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23) or say “If ye believe not that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). Men willfully forget that Jesus Christ, being God in the flesh, never changes (Hebrews 13:8). He began His ministry stating, “Think not that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17-18). Just hours before His death He proclaimed, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Just as the Psalmist declared, “Forever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89), though some try to change it.

Brett Jones

Calvary Bible Church

Venice Florida