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"We find these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal,
and are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among
these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness .... "Bold words, eloquent
words from the pen of Thomas Jefferson. They are the best known words of
any of America's political documents. This brief sentence defines who we
seek to be -a nation of equals, and what that word equality means. There
is no promise of redistribution of wealth, no promise of subsidizing laziness
and ignorance - but a level playing field where no one should live in fear,
and where hard work and merit are rewarded. This is a noble idea, and we
have spent the last two centuries trying (often unsuccessfully) to live up
to it.
"For all you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ,
there is no longer Jew nor Greek, male nor female, but you are all one in
Christ." (Galatians 3:27-28). This is an even bolder claim, an even nobler
idea -and this is do-able. It is an effective idea because it began in the
mind of God and is accomplished by His power thorough Jesus Christ. In God's
plan we do not lose our distinctions - they simply become irrelevant as we
take up our crosses each day.
Some of us do not take up our crosses, and we still see each other (our own
brethren, purchased with the same blood as we were ) as less than ourselves,
separate from ourselves, not up to our level, somehow inferior. If the
distinctions between us persist in our hearts, Christ is not resident there.
Plants placed in a room will grow towards the sunlight. Their roots are
differently located but each from its comer will grow in the same direction.
Even so, we from our different pasts, our different views, our different
cultures, and preferences grow towards the Son. "But speaking the truth in
love, we are to grow up in all aspects, into...Christ." This is real, an
un-legislated, transformation by the Spirit in us.
Has this been our experience?
-Barry Bryson |
