WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN GOD’S EYES

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD is the Maker of them all.
(Proverbs 22:2)

MEDITATION:
We live in a world that creates separation between groups of people.
One of the societal ways of ‘fixing the problem’ is to encourage ‘tolerance’.
Think about that word for a moment; ‘tolerance’ means to ‘tolerate’ others.
That is a failed effort in bridging the gaps that society (and sin) has created.
It doesn’t promote love and acceptance of others; we should just tolerate them.

Tolerance has created an increase in the number of abortions. Tolerance
has allowed men to share restrooms with women. Tolerance has punished
the successful with unbalanced burdens and a reduced financial stability.
Tolerance has ‘dumbed down’ the programs in some schools so that those
who choose not to apply themselves can keep pace with those who have a
desire to learn.

The list could go on and on, but we can see from the results that
‘tolerance’ of one group of people results in ‘intolerance’ of another
group. Why has tolerance failed so miserably? Because it is an
attempt by men to resolve problems without consulting God.

The scriptures clearly tell us that, as the return
of Christ gets nearer we will see an increase of problems.
    But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last
    days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,
    boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents,
    ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous,
    without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous,
    rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
    having a form of godliness but denying power. Have nothing
    to do with such people.
    (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Whenever God is removed from any area of life, evilness will
quickly fill the void. One of the byproducts of evil is the separation
of groups of people. When that happens, groups become angry and
resentful toward other groups. This resentment creates a volatile
situation that results in heinous actions by some.

Instead of removing God and allowing evil to fill the void it creates,
we would be better served by focusing on reducing evilness and
welcoming God to fill its void. Love for others is the key to resolving
societal problems, however it needs to be a healthy, and not misdirected,
love.
    Do not love the world or anything in the world. If
    anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not
    in them. For everything in the world—the lust of
    the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
    comes not from the Father but from the world.
    (1 John 2:15-16)

Aren’t you glad that God doesn’t promote separation of the masses?
The rich and the poor are no different in His eyes. The scriptures
remind us that we are all equal in His sight, because He created us
and He loves us all equally.

Until all people ‘know’ God and live as ‘children of God’,
we will continue having problems in this world.
    See what great love the Father has lavished on us,
    that we should be called children of God! And that
    is what we are! The reason the world does not know
    us is that it did not know him.
    (1 John 3:1)

ACTION:
So how should you live in a world with many problems?
You obey the scriptures and practice loving others.
    For this is the message you heard from
    the beginning: We should love one another.
    (1 John 3:11)

In the John 3:11, did you catch the phrase “from the beginning”?
Loving others has always been God’s desire for His people. Of
course that doesn’t mean you embrace some of the actions of
others, but it does mean that you have the capacity to love them
in spite of their actions, because they are God’s creation.

Loving others should not be just empty words with no meaning,
but others should be able know your love is real by the sincerity
of your words and actions.
    Dear children, let us not love with words
    or speech but with actions and in truth.
    (1 John 3:18)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your assurance that
You love me as much as You love others. Help me to
remember this truth during difficult times. Thank You
for giving me the key to living in a world that wants to
exclude You. Teach me to love others, not just with
words, but with actions that show my sincerity.”

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