In the previous lesson, the issue of diversity was briefly introduced. This lesson will explore the issue in depth using the Bible and the Constitution to make application of the principles.  Paul said when he wrote to Galatians (3:26-29) that the focal point and place for unity is Jesus Christ. Beginning in verse 26: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 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. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. The unifying truth is faith in Christ, and by virtue of that Paul said that all were one even though there were diverse parts (Jews, Greeks, slaves, male, and female) in the body, the church is one in Christ. Thus, all are one (single of mind) in the unity of Christ even now. But notice, the diversity of those that comprised the body gave way to the unity of belief in Jesus Christ.

The apostle Peter was the one who God sent to preach to the Gentiles. He resisted by falling back on the excuse he had followed the law and he certainly hadn’t defiled himself at any time by associating with Gentiles. But Peter saw the light as God showed him the truth. He went to the house of Cornelius and found many people. In Acts 10: 28 Peter spoke as recorded by Luke: And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.  He, being a follower of God, complied with the truth. Cornelius said to him (verse 33) after telling why he summoned Peter (verse 30-32: Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.  Cornelius wanted to hear the gospel and Peter said: 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.  Peter learned that God accepted all persons (Gentiles) who feared God (not in a bad sense, more like awe) and who did righteous things or lived righteously. (Confer with Romans 2:14-16)

In a like manner, we find the words in the Constitution in the Preamble: We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union … the word is union, meaning an alliance for mutual benefit or a coming together as one through adherence to a common belief about the purpose of government. It must be noted that the Constitution gives no place for diversity in the wise that diverse individuals and groups have no standing in the Constitution due to their diverse beliefs about the nature of government. All are to be treated equally under the Constitution just as God treats people equally with the truth of the gospel of Christ and are made equal in the church of the living God.

Now we are experiencing the clamoring of diverse groups who want special considerations which are called civil rights by some of the groups. Homosexuals want rights other than what is protected by the Constitution. They want privileges to marry which is nothing but a denial of God’s righteousness. Muslims have begun to force various parts of society to accommodate their religious beliefs by demanding foot baths, prayer rooms, prayer time, special food, and other practices indigenous to the Islamic belief. Atheists and the ACLU demand that all references to God in the public places be removed lest someone be offended. As a result, people who believe in Christ are badgered, abused, beaten, and arrested for proclaiming the gospel because such preaching is offensive to the pagans and heathen. Those people have no sense of unity, purity, or civility and are only interested in their own pleasure. (The book of Acts gives accounts of the treatment the apostles received for preaching Christ which reveals that things haven’t changed much regarding behavior toward believers.)

There were no more diverse groups than Jews and Gentiles and through the house of Cornelius, the Jews and the Gentiles were brought into the unity of common belief in Jesus Christ. Diversity was set aside and they became one in Christ.

© 10-25-2007 DEC

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