There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28).

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all (Col. 3:11)

We have heard a lot over the months and years about such words as sexism, racism, and anti-Semitism. America specifically has a history of racism and sexism (as many countries do), unfortunately, and the scars of those times still linger—those seeds still linger within the church even (and even the seeds of anti-Semitism are still present). If we are to be salt and light to our nation and the world, we must first see our own wounds healed.

The question is, what does the gospel of Christ say about such things? We must take a hard look at the counsel of God and ask the Spirit to correct us when we stray—and gladly accept His correction. So, let’s start with the two verses quoted above, Galatians 3:28 and Col. 3:11. What do we learn from these verses?

All are on equal footing at the cross.
First, we learn that we are all on level ground at the foot of the cross. The cross of Christ lays a claim—the same claim—on all, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, or socio-economic status. This statement applies both before and after salvation. Jesus looks at each one in the same light, seeing the same need for salvation and providing salvation in the same way—through His blood. Once saved, all are equal in the church, with the same rights, privileges, and access to God. God has obliterated those distinctions when it comes to salvation and spiritual growth.

All are image-bearers of God.
We are reminded from these verses that all bear the same image—His image. Though marred by sin, it is still present in each person. The implication of this? When we define someone first by their color, gender, race, or nationality first, we ignore the image of God within them. Jesus said that we are to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). When pressed on the question, he defined everyone as our neighbor—even the ones we dislike most (the Samaritan, remember, was hated, being considered half-breeds and traitors).

While the sinfulness of humanity is bound to scream “Me first!” in all its forms, the gospel leaves no room for such thinking. That’s what racism, sexism, and all the other ‘isms’ boil down to: one person or one group thinking more highly of himself or themselves than they ought (and then usually resorting to twisting and co-opting Scripture or some other recognized authority to prove their point.)

So now, the hard questions we must ask ourselves. There are no answers given here, as these are questions that we must face within ourselves.

Do I think some people are less worthy of the gospel? or conversely Do I think some people are more in need of the gospel than I am?

We tend to stereotype everyday. Is making such quick judgments okay, even if I have “proof’ to back up that judgement? And does that judgment have implications for the first questions?

Am I afraid of or anxious about certain people because of the color of their skin or their chosen lifestyle? is that fear (unfounded or not) okay in the context of the Gospel?

Do I tend to shy away from others in the group because “we just don’t have that much in common”? (And how such a statement can be true for those who follow Christ stretches the bound of reality.)

There are more questions out there. The Holy Spirit will ask them to those who need it. Let us pray that the Father will bind us together in love—His true love. Not to display a false, paper-thin unity to the watching world, but to truly be one as Jesus prayed we would.

Let Him who has ears hear what the Spirit is saying.