Monday, January 16, 2012

Separate But Equal

Today is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Having recently read and watched "The Help" I have been thinking about race relations and the whole "separate but equal" strategy used to keep the races apart. Those who advocated it were under the false impression that the color of their skin somehow made them superior, and therefore entitled to more benefits and opportunities. 

Christians often look at the unsaved with the same bias, thinking that somehow God loves them more or thinks more highly of them than others. In truth, there is no difference from God's point of view. The only thing that separates saved and unsaved is a choice.  Think about it. God created all people in His image to manifest His glory. He provided a way for all people to be redeemed into His family and to be released from the penalty of sin. He loves all of us, cares for all of us, and has wonderful plans for all of us. The only difference is in our choice.

 When we choose to do things our way or to refuse the gifts that He has provided, He is restrained from intervening in our lives. We have to figure out our own problems, fight our own battles, and forge our own path. When we shake our fist and deny His right to be our master, we cut off our access to His promises, His blessings, and the inheritance He has set aside for us. We are left with worldly wisdom, temporal blessings, and future judgment!

Our simple choice to receive all that He has provided opens unimaginable blessings, both for this life and the next. Our path is secure, our future full of hope, and our present circumstances are protected in the shelter of His loving hand. We no longer have to worry about the storms that may come, the trials that we face, or the looming disasters that surface on the horizon. Our Father watches over every detail to make sure nothing comes to us that He hasn't already planned for. The forces of darkness don't have a chance.

On this day devoted to equality and justice for all, take a minute to thank God that He orchestrated a day of decision for you - that you had the choice in front of you, and that you chose to do things God's way. Then honor Him, not by feeling superior over those who haven't yet chosen the right path, but by sharing with others what God has done for you so that they too may decide that God's way is the only way!

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