Real Equality

“God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27

“Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs… an offering to the Lord. All… are to give… The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives. Receive the atonement money… and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will be a memorial before the Lord, making atonement for your lives.” Exodus 30:13-16

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6

“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect… as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life.” 1 Peter 3:7

Much of the talk about equality today revolves around exemplifying differences. It seems an inverted way of defining. The Scriptures embody equality by stating what is the same in every person. As the crowning glory of all God made, humans were fashioned as the only creatures made in God’s image and commanded to exercise dominion over all creation. He made us able to live in relationship with Him, with eternity in our hearts and a unique will. He designed us male and female, our bodies corresponding to each other to be fruitful and multiply, our souls to be suitable helpers to one another. (Genesis 2:7-9,15-24; Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Throughout the Scriptures, He does not distinguish in any prejudicial way between varying nationalities or abilities or hierarchies or social strata, except to differentiate between those who would seek after Him and receive His gift of eternal life, and those who would reject Him, follow after other gods, and live estranged from Him. He makes reference to our equality time and again: He came for all, He breaks down barriers between factions and makes enemies friends, and there is to be no favoritism. (John 3:16; Romans 2:11; 5:10; James 2:1-4)

When we take our eyes off what the Lord made us all to be, our call to glorify Him and serve His purposes, we can easily get tangled in messages and circumstances that knock us off kilter. When we turn from His voice, and let feelings rule our faith, we confuse the simplicity and beauty of the distinctiveness we each bring to the Body. We look different, sound different, and offer different gifts, but each is equal in standing, value, importance, and inheritance. (Isaiah 43:7; 1 Corinthians 12:4-27)

Am I secure in my identity in Christ? How does the equality God has assigned to every person shape my perception of others?

Creator God, help me do what I can to promote, with grace and Christ-like love, the reality of Your unity in my world.