Equality

There is so much talk in today's world about equality, inclusion, rights, and many other related topics. Going back to my experience of sitting on the jury of a murder case, I realized we are all equally important, and life is precious. As I sat in the jury seat having a clear sight of the confessed killer, sometimes we would make eye contact and realized we are of equal value in God's eyes. We have both sinned, and both need the salvation blood of Jesus Christ to save us.

In God's eyes, we are all of equal importance; regardless of age, height, nationality, skin color, gender, IQ, or anything else our natural attributes create who we are. For any one of us to consider ourselves better than any other of God's creation is a sin. No matter where you grew up, rich or poor, well educated or not, Jesus loved you and died for you. Jesus calls us to Him through love.

"God made you and every other person on this planet in His image."

The truth of the matter is that we are all lost and need a Savior. We have all done things that God says are not His way. We all need forgiveness, including the murderer sitting across from me, the judge hearing the case, the jurors, the victim, her three-month-old son, the attorneys, and everyone in the courtroom (including myself). We are fearfully and wonderfully made, but we have all fallen short. Our only hope is that God, our creator, would forgive us and accept us, even with all our downfalls.

Here is the most fantastic news of all – God loves and accepts us, no matter what we have done. When we come to Him, confess our sins and turn from our wrong path, He is faithful and just and restores us through the blood of Christ. In that courtroom, we found the defendant guilty of first-degree murder. He will serve his time, but he will be freed spiritually and live eternally if he turns to Jesus. In God's courtroom, each one of us would also be found guilty, but our defender, Jesus, stands up for us and says, "Yes, he/she is guilty and deserves death, but I will take the punishment and instead, I want them to live eternally in paradise with me."

Love others equally and show them the way to forgiveness and eternal hope. Someone did that for you!

Here are some essential questions for the week to answer and keep in front of you:

1) Who are you judging in life? 

2) How can you love those around you and show them God's love?

3) How can you stand for what is right yet love in the process? 

Prayer: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

© Brian Williams, 2021