In Christ There Is Equity And Inclusion
As we debate and fight against equity and inclusion in this America (A self proclaimed Christian nation), God has already settled the matter in His kingdom.
In Acts 10:9–15, 30–35; Galatians 3:28–29, God reveals to Peter and Paul, that salvation is for all people (regardless of class, race, position, income, heritage, etc.), through faith in Christ. I pray that each of us would know that God’s offer of salvation is available to all and that there are no distinctions of person in Christ. Amen
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:9–15)
Peter went up to the roof of the house to pray undisturbed. During his prayer, he received a vision from God. A sheet floating down with different animals, reptiles and birds. He was commanded by God to eat from this assortment. But he refused on the grounds that there were “unclean” animals that were forbidden by Jewish Law and that he had never defiled himself by eating. Peter’s direct refusal of God’s will was an act of disobedience. God’s rebuttal to Peter’s refusal, was “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This would turn out to be preparation for Peter to follow God’s command that he go and share the gospel with Cornelius, someone that Peter would have certainly refused to associate with, because Cornelius was not only a Gentile, even worse, he was a Roman centurion.
Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. (Acts 10:30–35)
At the time of Peter’s vision on the rooftop, Cornelius also received a visit from an angel. The angel instructed him to send for Peter and invite him to come share the gospel. Cornelius recounted that visit to Peter and then asked him to share what God had commanded him to tell him, and significantly, his entire household. Peter responded that he now understood that God offered salvation to all people who trusted and reverenced Him.
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:28–29)
Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians, that in Christ, there are none of the distinctions that the world uses to divide and segregate people. All who are in Christ are one, and the true descendants of Abraham. And like Abraham, Christians are credited with righteousness by God because of their faith in Christ. We are the heirs of God and will inherit His kingdom.
Conclusion
What Peter learned from God’s command to share the gospel with Cornelius, the Roman centurion, and what Paul explained to the church in Galatia, is that God intends for the offer of salvation to be available everyone. Salvation is not reserved for one group of people regardless of their heritage, race, status, position, power or any other distinction that the world makes. In Christ all are heirs to the kingdom of God and have eternal life. And if God has already settled the equity and inclusion issue, why are so many Christians in America still fighting it? Maybe they haven’t read that part of God’s word yet? So let us help them by reminding them that in Christ, our values are those of God’s kingdom, not the world. And in Christ, there is equity and inclusion for all!
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
Equity: freedom from disparities in the way people of different races, genders, etc. are treated.
Inclusion: the act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (as because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability)
