So much focus today is on how we humans are all very different. Actually we have much more in common than we might think. Paul reminds us of this in Romans 3:22-23,
"even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,"
There Is No Difference All Have Sinned
"There is no difference", whether I am the leader of a country or a small rural school boy, whether I am a genius like Einstein or failing in school, whether I am a Democrat or Republican, black or white, male or female we all have sin in common. All of us know this. We may not call it sin because that sounds so serious, so religious; but we all have failings, flaws, and weaknesses.
Some of us may be "better" than others. Some of us may be genuinely nice people, but all of us sin. The commonality of sin makes us uncomfortable. Am I really like the bad guy on television? In that we are all "slaves to sin" (Romans 6:20) without Christ - then yes. Compared to the righteousness of God there is "none good, no not one" (Romans 3:10). We can cover up our sins. We can hide them from others. But from God nothing is hidden.
God Loves Us
Also we have another thing in common. God loves us. Whether I am the nicest person you ever met or the most evil, my sin cannot separate me from this great love. Because as Paul says, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8). In McClaren's Expositions he says this about God's great love,
"God does not love men because of what they are, therefore He does not cease to love them because of what they are."
Because God literally is love, He does not love of us because we have earned it, no; He loves us because that is His nature. We can't make Him unlove us. However, the most blessings God gives are for His righteous ones who are made righteous by the shed blood of His Son Jesus. In Romans 4:7 Paul quotes David from Psalm 89:2, when he tells us, "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;" However, sin can't go unpunished by a loving and just God. Even though God longs to bless us, if we remain in sin there will be a just punishment.
The Gift Of Salvation
The Cross of Christ and the grace that it provides also joins us as one. No matter how great a sin we may have committed and no matter how long we have been enslaved by that sin the cross and the gift of salvation is for all. No matter your status or your condition, no matter your age, there is no difference. God loves me and He gave His life for me, individually. He thought of me while He was on that cross. He took my sins upon Himself and He did it willingly. And so for every person that ever lived or will live, each and every one, His atonement was for them all (1John 2:2).
Faith Unites Us
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28
So what is it that unites us like this with Christ? Only one thing, faith in Him. It is not faith plus something, it is faith alone. Will good works follow this faith? Absolutely, if it is a true faith they will. The fruits of our faith are the evidence of it (Matthew 7:20). The Bible clearly tells us that there is only one way to God and that is through faith in Jesus. We receive Christ as an undeserved gift, not as something we have earned. We can never do enough to save ourselves, our faith in Christ is what saves us.
We All Enter Through The Same Gate
We all enter through the gate the same way. Those of high social status or the powerful must go through just like the poor and insignificant in the world. Who we are in the world doesn't make a difference to God. Everyone must humble themselves and seek forgiveness in faith for their sins (2 Chronicles 7:14). The gate is narrow and the way will be difficult our Lord tells us (Matthew 7: 13-14), but with God's love and grace we will arrive at our our desired Haven that is Heaven.
Our Sins Are Forgiven
For those who have believed in Christ, the forgiveness of our sins also unites us. In Hebrews 8:12, we are told that God will no longer even remember our "sins and lawless deeds". When God forgives us, those sins no longer condemn us (Romans 8:1). 1 John 1:9 says that when we confess our sins that God, who is always faithful and just, will forgive us and make us pure. Colossians 3:13 reminds us that as Christians we are to forgive others as God has forgiven us. And when we pray the Lord's Prayer, we ask God to "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."(Matthew 6:12). This means that we are asking God to forgive our sin in the same way that we forgive those around us who have done wrong to us.
Be Like Minded
Paul says in Philippians 2:2 that we should be like minded, that we should have the same love, and that our spirit and mind should be one. In other words, we should be united and not divided. The Lord brings us together in this world in a way not possible by any other means. His love, forgiveness and grace make us one in Him. Thanks be to God!
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