Celebrating Our Likeness in Christ By Dr. Bill Lewis
The world’s message for our day is to learn to live with the differences in people. Diversity training has become a regular part of the continued education in government and large corporations. Special interest groups demand that their ethnic and national distinctive characteristics be tolerated in American society. It seems that America, long a destination for folks from all over the world, rather than being a melting pot is becoming a hodgepodge of varied cultures each with its own particular and sometimes peculiar demands. Rather than assimilating the individual into America, the current cry is adjust the American way to accommodate the foreign culture. Open Door Fellowship recently held an event aimed at celebrating not our diversity but likeness in Christ. Paul wrote, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27-28, NASB). On August 12^th Open Door Fellowship and New Birth Ministries held a joint service that proved to be a resounding success where both groups celebrated together their privileged position in Jesus Christ. Open Door Fellowship has been a predominately white congregation while New Birth Ministries has been a predominately black congregation. Both are mission efforts trying to reach the world for Jesus. Both congregations struggle with the hurdles over which mission churches must jump to accomplish their calling in Christ. Over the past year and a half each group has developed an appreciation for the other. Through the time the Pastors developed a deep respect for each other, and the joint service grew from the developing friendship. The world would probably describe the two congregations quite differently, but the congregations chose not to focus on their differences but their common position in Christ Jesus. The event included a fellowship supper, singing from each group, a message, and a baptismal service in which New Birth Ministries baptized about fifteen. The 85-90 that attended all considered the vent a great success, and many from both congregations expressed a desire to plan future joint services. There really is no time to argue over cultural differences within the Church when there is so much common ground to be found in Christ. Paul warned all groups to focus on their likeness in Christ. To the Corinthians he wrote, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:13, NASB). To the Romans he wrote, “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:21-24, NASB). No matter what our ethnic or national background we are all lost without Christ and, if saved, we all stand equally justified in Christ. That is the truth on which Paul focused his message. It is the truth that today needs to be preached. Pray that Open Door Fellowship will continue to focus on the message of Christ and not allow cultural distinctions to hinder our service to the Lord.