One in Christ

       God created everyone to be an image bearer of His glory. No matter our differences, that is our created purpose. Black, white, national, or foreigner all of us have this inherently in us. Isaiah 43:6-7- “bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”

          The problem is our sin. The fall of man places within us a sin nature that has passed to every person. This nature makes us naturally sinful; instead of bearing the image of God for His glory we distort that image to try and gain our own glory. 

         The bible is clear- there are sinful divisions that we place on ourselves. Yes, there are cultural differences, there are differences in the way we live based on our governing, but there are no real racial differences. We are all one race; descended from Adam.

            Paul, while preaching in Athens, tells a group of Gentiles, “God that made the world and all things therein… giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Acts 17:24-26). 

          Any division we make that goes beyond, “one blood” is something that goes beyond God’s creation. Obviously, we are not all collectively the same- but to claim that there is any inherit difference in us based on the color of our skin is simply unbiblical. 

        So, because of the fall, where there was once perfection there is now brokenness; and that which is broken needs something to make it whole again. That something was Christ and the work He did on the cross. 

      Colossians 3:11- “there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”

                 Galatians 3:26-28- “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

             The work that Christ did is a unifying work. Not only does it unify my life with Christ’s, but it unifies me with you. Jew or Greek, male or female, all are made one in Christ through His atoning sacrifice. 

               However, it must be noticed that this oneness is not for all- it is for those in Christ; it is for those who have been made new by the blood of Christ. Paul makes this point clear in Ephesians 2:11-14:
             “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us”

            This is important for us to remember. We can’t expect those who have not been renewed by the cross to act, think, and live like those who have. It shouldn’t surprise us to see the division we’re seeing in a country that has routinely rejected Christ and His sacrifice. 

              Our country doesn’t need more politicians or legislation- it needs Christ, and it needs the people of Christ to preach the gospel of Christ. He alone can truly change a life- He alone can truly bring unity.