THE TRUE MEANING OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN CHRIST

There has been a movement in our societies and cultures to promote the idea that Jesus was all in for the ideas promoted by current day leaders regarding Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. It amazes me to watch them espouse all of their ideas and “promote” them as if Jesus had the same viewpoints and thoughts. Let me assure you that while Jesus loves and cares for mankind deeply, the way He approaches things in both His Word and His Actions while on earth are Far Different than where we find ourselves today. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are defined today as “ a conceptual framework that claims to promote the fair treatment of all people, especially in the workplace, including populations who have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination because of their background or identity.” A wish to help people succeed and prosper is a good thing, but not at the expense of other people. The world always likes to seek out a group to promote as downtrodden, and often, they are. The difference is that the world wants to pick “winners and losers” and “victims and oppressors” using a “broad brushstroke” of ethnic background, education, color, and lifestyle. I won’t waste time debating this movement, but I will tell you that it is Far Different than the Heart Of Christ in approach and outcome. How can I be sure ? I simply ‘LOOK” at Jesus and His Disciples. Imagine the times when Jesus began His Ministry to mankind. All around Him was a culture and society where people were downtrodden. The Roman Empire was tyrannical, brutal, and self serving. Sound Familiar ? Here was Jesus, seeking out and gathering twelve men to follow Him and Learn about the True Kingdom Of God, not Religious teachings and added traditions. All Of These Disciples were DIFFERENT ! The perfect “picture” of DIVERSITY. The “perfect” picture of different lifestyles, careers, interests and living conditions. Fishermen, Tax Collectors, Zealots, Rabbinical Students, Businessmen; all very different, but one thing in common. A Thirst For God ! Lives that had hardship and struggle; infirmities, rejection, and a constant wrestling with who they were and their circumstances. AND YET JESUS CHOSE THEM ! AND YET THEY WENT OUT WITH POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

THEN JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, “IF ANYONE WISHES TO COME AFTER ME, HE MUST DENY HIMSELF, AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME. Matthew 16:24

SOON AFTERWARDS, HE BEGAN GOING FROM ONE CITY AND VILLAGE TO ANOTHER, PROCLAIMING AND PREACHING THE KINGDOM OF GOD. THE TWELVE WERE WITH HIM. Luke 8:1

SITTING DOWN, HE CALLED THE TWELVE AND “SAID TO THEM, “IF ANYONE WANTS TO BE FIRST, HE SHALL BE LAST OF ALL AND SERVANT OF ALL.” Mark 9:35

AND HE CALLED THE TWELVE TOGETHER, AND GAVE THEM POWER AND AUTHORITY OVER ALL THE DEMONS AND TO HEAL DISEASES. Luke 9:1

These men were very diverse, and yet they gave up all they had and followed Jesus. So different from each other and yet “They Were As One”. ONE IN THE POWER OF CHRIST AND A LOVE FOR GOD AND HIS KINGDOM. The problem with our culture’s viewpoint on Diversity is pretty simple to me. IF YOU AREN”T WILLING TO ACCEPT EVERYONE AND THEIR BEHAVIORS AND BELIEFS, THEN YOU AREN’T RESPECTING DIVERSITY.” Sadly, we need to understand that We Are Sinners, and much of our behavior is Sinful. God’s word points it out very clearly. We Are All Sinners, And Have Fallen Short Of The Glory Of God: Romans 3:23. DIVERSITY IS THE BODY OF CHRIST ! All different, all sinners, all colors, all nationalities, all vocations, all educations, all communities coming together to BE REBORN OUT OF SIN INTO JESUS ABIDING IN OUR LIVES. CLEANSED FROM SIN THROUGH HIS SHED BLOOD AND BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH HIS RESURRECTION ! A diverse community acknowledging God and His Ways, and rejecting Sin…not celebrating it. In the Kingdom of God, INCLUSION HAS A PRICE, AND IT IS UNIQUE ! Not everyone has a place in God’s Kingdom for a simple reason. One must die to self and find LIFE IN JESUS ! One must confess and REPENT from sinful ways and start making an effort to mature and grow in Christ. That means CHANGING and DESIRING DIFFERENT THINGS; THE THINGS OF GOD. If your path is to reject God and embrace the world, then inclusion is easy. Inclusion in self rule and self pleasure is a wide path and a huge buffet of Destruction and Hopelessness. MANY WILL EMBRACE IT SADLY.

HE HAS TOLD YOU, O MAN, WHAT IS GOOD; AND WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU BUT TO DO JUSTICE, AND TO LOVE KINDNESS, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD ? Micah 6:8

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE STRAIGHT YOUR PATHS. Proverbs 3:5-6

DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND, THAT BY TESTING YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, WHAT IS GOOD, ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT. Romans 12:2

Lastly, what about Equity ? I truly wish that everyone in the world had a more Complete Life ! The question is, how do we define that ! Is completeness defined by Money ? How about Comfort and Safety ? Pleasure ? Things ? Adulation, Recognition, or Fame ? Seems like these are “Mankind’s Definitions”, but isn’t it interesting that JESUS SAW MOST OF THESE THINGS AS A MILLSTONE AROUND OUR NECKS ! These things would “weigh us down”, and “distract” us away from God Himself. Think about those disciples again. “So, Jesus, you can’t really expect us to travel to all these places without food and supplies can you ?'“ “How will we survive ?” “Can we really make it and actually cast out demons and heal if we are penniless and hungry ?” HE SAYS THE SAME TO US DOESN”T HE ? Probably the most impactful thing God has given me comes from a scene in “THE CHOSEN”. It’s the brother of Simon The Zealot. Crippled. No Hope. Suffering. Looking everywhere for healing and peace but God Himself. Crying Out for Help to the wrong things. The wrong Power. It isn’t what Jesus did…it’s what HE SAID. “ALL YOU NEED IS ME.” THAT IS WHERE WE FIND EQUITY ! We are ALL INVITED TO GOD”S KINGDOM BY AND THROUGH HIS SON ! The beautiful GIFT HE OFFERS IS ETERNAL LIFE, and once you are HIS, YOU HAVE IT. It is for EVERYONE ! All races, all nationalities, all colors, all communities, all careers, all educations….ALL ONE IN HIM. EQUAL IN EVERY WAY THAT MATTERS ! Equity doesn’t have a darn thing to do with money, status, sinfulness or place. We are all the same in God’s Eyes and Heart. AND HE SEES AND HEARS YOU ! Let’s find our Diversity in what we bring to each other in FAITH AND LOVE. Let’s find our Inclusion in SHARING CHRIST TOGETHER AS ONE BODY. Lets find our Equity in SHARING A KINGDOM AND ETERNAL LIFE TOGETHER. Our life doesn’t revolve around this earth….it will revolve around a New Earth and Heaven….and We Will Be With Jesus. Praise Be To God, and may He Receive The Glory :) ONENESS IS IN CHRIST/JAA

“SEE, I WILL CREATE NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH. THE FORMER THINGS WILL NOT BE REMEMBERED, NOR WILL THEY COME TO MIND. BUT BE GLAD IN AND REJOICE FOREVER IN WHAT I WILL CREATE, FOR I WILL CREATE JERUSALEM TO BE A DELIGHT AND IT’S PEOPLE A JOY. I WILL REJOICE OVER JERUSALEM AND TAKE DELIGHT IN MY PEOPLE; THE SOUNDS OF WEEPING AND CRYING WILL BE HEARD NO MORE.” Isaiah 65:17-19