He Created Everyone Equal

Friends, our blogs this week are from my heart to yours. I pray the gospel of Jesus Christ will remain at the forefront of our hearts and minds. God created everyone equally. We are all image-bearers of God. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). When we understand the biblical truth that we are made in God’s image, we see the basis for human dignity and worth. If we are all created in the image of our Maker, how can human beings hate one another? Especially hatred driven because of the color of one’s skin? The skin color that God chose for us as he knitted us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). From where or from whom does this hate come? Hatred of any kind is a result of the Fall in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden as sin was introduced into the world. This titanic struggle between God and the evil one continues to play out in the hearts and history of mankind. Presently, it’s playing out as racial tension in America escalates to a degree we haven’t seen since the decades-long civil rights movement. Hatred of our brother is evidenced right after the Fall in Genesis 4 when Cain hated his brother Abel. Cain’s hatred led to murder. The first murder in human history occurred because of hatred in a human heart. George Floyd’s senseless murder is evidence - centuries later - of the hatred that continues to reside in the human heart.  Those who have been filled with the love of Jesus through the gospel of grace must stand tall against the evil murder of George Floyd - and all racism that exists in our country and our world. The gospel of grace that changes the hateful human heart is the only answer. When Jesus died on the cross, it was for humanity.  Not for some people.  His sacrificial death was for all people. We are commanded by God to, “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause” (Isaiah 1:17). As Christ-followers, let us love as he loves. Forgive as he forgives. Show mercy as he shows mercy.  As we truly follow him, from all hatred we are set free.