Equality; now there’s a popular word.  Just the mention of it brings a rush of emotional response.  It is a word that has a multitude of meanings, though everyone thinks it has but one.  Its multiplicity is due to people’s perception, not the definition.  It is also due to how it is used, to what it is connected.  We speak of achieving equality, but it seems to be such is an illusive condition.  It may be that in order to enjoy equality, we need to discover just what it is.

Scripture instructs us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.” (Ephesians 4:3)  In His high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed that His people, the church, would have the same unity that He and the Father enjoyed.  Many people believe that in order for this prayer to become a reality, we must all be equal.  In their minds unity and equality go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other, they presume.  Is this true?

Scripture does not leave us ignorant in this matter.  Paul goes on to explain this in Ephesians 4 stating, “There is one body, and one Spirit – just as you were all 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.  But to each one of us grace is given as Christ apportioned it.” (vs. 4-7)

The fact is that we already possess equality and unity in Christ Jesus.  “For He Himself is our peace, Who has made the two one and had destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility --- His purpose was to create Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace and in His body reconciled both of them to God through the cross, which put to death their hostility. --- Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” (Ephesians 2:14-22 selected)  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ.” (Galatians 3:28)  We do not create equality or unity.  We have it in Christ Jesus.  The reality is that in order for there to be unity, there is inequality of sorts.  We call it diversity.  In Him, our diversity that once divided us actually unites us.

It is imperative that we do not misunderstand. Equality before God in Christ does not mean equal responsibility.  We stand equally before God.  We are equally important in His Kingdom.  We are equally responsible to fulfill our calling, in making ever effort to keep the unity, and in using the gifts graced to us for service. We are not equally gifted.  We do not carry equal loads of work.  “To each one grace is given as Christ apportioned it.”  Jesus’ parable of the talents reveals this very same truth.  To one servant the master gave five talents, to another two talent, and to a third one.

Equality is illusive because we see it as sameness.  Unity is not enjoyed because we understand it to as absolute agreement (usually with me).  Unity is maintained through mutual submission to Christ, each other, and God’s order. It is enjoyed when we are less concerned about equality (or as some would say it, “rights”) and more concerned about fulfillment of our responsibilities.

Beloved rejoice! What so many are seeking we have, and they can have with us, in Christ Jesus.  Let us each give our full effort to fulfill our responsibility so that the unity we have in Christ will be enjoyed and displayed to His glory and praise.  As we “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit” the “body of Christ will be built up until all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”  Amen! So be it Lord!

Keep Close to Jesus
Pastor Gerry