The world is in shambles today. More examples of riots, racism, terrorism, bigotry, class warfare and social unrest are in the news every night. Everyone is talking about the problem, but no one seems to have the answer. New laws and politicians are not the answer. You cannot legislate righteousness. You can preach righteousness. God’s people cannot be silent on the issues of the day. The world needs the Light desperately. It’s time to look to God’s Word for the solution.

For more in-depth content on this subject, the full audio of a recent sermon is at the end of this post.

God sees the world differently.

Most people in the world focus on differences and declare one segment of society better or more deserving than another.
One group is declared more worthy, deserving and therefore protected by special rules or unique liberties.
Rich vs. Poor
Old vs. Young
White vs. Black
American vs. Mexican
Police vs. Minority

There are much more examples of class warfare.  I’m sure you can think of a few not listed here.  While it is true that we have problems in each of these areas that need to be addressed, pitting one group against another is not the answer.  We don’t need a revolution.  We need revival!

[shareable]Pretending that people are not different has never worked. We can’t help but notice the things that differentiate us. [/shareable]

Jesus taught that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. There are those that have found that inciting division is a way to increase their power and wealth. We must not fall for their devices. Don’t get caught up in the drama. Don’t fall for the straw man arguments. Someone has probably already studied the picture above to count how many people there are representing their race and where they are in the picture.  That is so sad.  It’s just a picture…

The actual battle is good vs. evil; God vs. satan. Find out where God stands on an issue and be strong.
God acknowledges the differences in His creation. The popular way to deal with differences is to pretend that they do not exist. Pretending there are no differences has never worked.  We can’t help but notice the things that differentiate us. We know intuitively that “blindness” is not the answer.
God made us different on purpose. How boring if everyone on Earth looked the same and had the same personality. God acknowledges and appreciates our differences.

Revelation 5:9
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”

There are four fundamental differences in this verse.
Kindred = Family differences
tongue = Language differences
People = Cultural differences
Nation = National differences

Differences within these groups are to be expected. They are not wrong until they transgress Scripture. Often deviance is cloaked as diversity. Don’t fall for that lie. God’s Word tells us what is right and wrong. There is a lot of room in righteousness for diversity. However, all transgression of the law is sin.

The answer is to acknowledge and appreciate our outward differences while understanding that we are all the same in the areas that matter. Everyone needs food, water, air, love, etc.  Furthermore, everyone needs a Savior.

All Humanity is of One Blood.

We are not different races.
The idea of Races of People is unBiblical. This philosophy is a harmful byproduct of Darwin’s theory of evolution. In recent years the definition of “race” has been changed to hide its dubious beginnings. There is only one race: the human race. We all bleed red.

Acts 17:26
“And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;”

Are We Better Than They?

Romans 3:9–10
“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”

The Jews in the Bible were bigoted against anyone that wasn’t a Jew. God had to teach them that while they were certainly more blessed than other people groups, they were not better than them.

Paul confronted Peter because he was helping to perpetuate the bigotry against Gentile believers. Too often, the leaders who should be helping calm down a situation are found to be fueling it.

Galatians 2:11–13
“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.”

There Is No Difference.

While there are minor differences of family, language, culture, and nations, we are all the same where it matters most.

Everyone is a Sinner and Needs a Savior.

Romans 3:22
“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”

Everyone can be Saved.

Romans 10:12
“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”

All Saved are Equal in Christ.

Ephesians 2:11–19

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

[shareable]After believing in Jesus, every saved person is forgiven and has the full rights and privileges of a child of God. [/shareable]

Treat Others Well Regardless of How They Treat You

We need to get back to the Bible teachings of how to treat one another. Every human is due a measure of respect as God’s creation. Dignity should be shown to all. We should find a person’s worth in God’s declaration of love for them, not in our personal appraisal of their behavior or lineage.

Romans 12:9–21
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Also, we should be able to disagree over serious issues without trying to destroy one another.  This quote reminds us of the difference between disagreement and dissension.

Disagreement produces debate but dissent produces dissension. Dissent (which come from the Latin, dis and sentire) means originally to feel apart from others. People who disagree have an argument, but people who dissent have a quarrel. People may disagree and both may count themselves in the majority. But a person who dissents is by definition in a minority. A liberal society thrives on disagreement but is killed by dissension. Disagreement is the life blood of democracy, dissension is its cancer.  – Daniel Boorstin

The Answer

The answer is simple. Realize that in spite of our differences we are all the same in God’s eyes. There is no difference. Everyone is a sinner. Everyone needs to be saved.

After believing in Jesus, every saved person is forgiven and has the full rights and privileges of a child of God. There is no difference.

Treat others how you would like to be treated.

Give everyone the gospel Jesus Christ and invite them to believe on Him for salvation. This world will never have peace without the PRINCE OF PEACE.

The full audio sermon can be found below or here.