“Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.” – Colossians 3:11 (ESV)
Injustice and discrimination are highly public and passionate topics today, and rightfully so. It would be a boldfaced lie to say that people do not suffer from injustice and discrimination. These are age-old sins and painful life experiences that the Bible addresses. In fact, the Gospel of Jesus Christ deals directly with those who discriminate and those who are discriminated against. The answer for both the sinner and the sufferer are found in Jesus Christ.
“Truly I understand that God shows no partiality.” – Acts 10:34
The purpose of this post is not to rehash and redefine what comprises true injustice and discrimination despite those being important questions to answer. This post will not plumb the depths of the suffering caused by these sins. Rather, this post will address the real cause and the ultimate solution to these problems. The Bible is God’s Word to mankind. As a result, the Bible’s God-vested authority should make us pay close attention to everything God has said, including what He has said about the topics of injustice and discrimination.
Does God Acknowledge That Injustice and Discrimination Exist?
Colossians 3:11 by its very nature is an admission by God that discrimination and injustice exist in this sinful world. The list of labels, groups, etc. in the verse hearken back to what those Christians once were. It was how they saw themselves and how society saw them. They could possibly take great pride in their labels (e.g., Jews often looked down upon Greeks, but others looked down upon Jews), or they could have felt great shame over the labels applied to them by others (e.g. Scythians were viewed as a base, barbaric group even worse than those called “barbarians”). Notice how Paul addresses their former labels…
“…seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of it Creator.” – Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV)
Paul addresses them as Christians. Christianity’s great theme is that of inward, supernatural change (i.e., the “new self”) worked by God to meet the person’s greatest need, salvation from their sins. A person becomes a Christian when they hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God convicts them of the truth of the Gospel, they turn from their sins and to faith in Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord of all. In other words, whatever defined a person prior to coming to faith in Christ no longer holds the importance or place it once did. Let’s consider an example. According to this verse, if a Christian is a slave, they cease to be defined as such in God’s sight regardless of what the world says. By logic, Christians should no longer view themselves or others as they once did prior to becoming a Christian. Rather, “Christ is all and in all” according to Colossians 3:11. Christ is all that defines a Christian because in Him all has been met that God requires of sinners (i.e., forgiveness and righteousness). Christ Himself purchased the Christian with His own blood. Christ is their highest joy, their loving Brother, and their Lord and Savior. Being a Christian transcends all earthly labels, all earthly insults, all earthly roles, and all earthly pride of earthly position because Christ Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is greater than all. Romans 8:17 refers to Christians as “…heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…” No matter what others may think of us, no matter what we may think of others, Christ Jesus will reign forever and ever, and Christians belong to Him. When Christ returns, He will set all things right. That includes bringing injustice and discrimination to their ultimate end forever and ever. God not only acknowledges that injustice and discrimination exist, but He also gives the Christian a place that far transcends any role, title, or honor the world could bestow.
Does God See Injustice and Discrimination As Wrong?
Despite the great truth that Christians belong to God and possess Christ Who is Greater than all, injustice and discrimination still exist in this world. There is hurt, and there is suffering, as a result. Does God simply want us to ignore the pain and look the other way as we wait for the better day of Christ’s return and the Judgment Day? Does God see injustice and discrimination as wrong? The clear answer from the Bible is, YES! Let’s examine one set of verses that make God’s disdain for discrimination and injustice crystal clear.
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?…But you have dishonored the poor man…But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” – James 2:1-4, 6, 9-10 (ESV)
These verses address discrimination against the poor by the rich, but the principles from these verses apply to any matter of injustice and discrimination, too. Notice that James is speaking to those in the church of Jesus Christ. What does God want His people to do in this life in regards to differences in society? He clearly expects Christians to treat others lovingly, caringly, equally…Without regards to distinction of differences. Why? Because with God there is no partiality, all that belong to Christ are equal because they belong to Him, and He expects the same of His people towards others. God does not see with human biases, opinions, dislikes, etc. Rather, God sees two types of people…Those who have turned to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith and those who remain in their rebellion and sin against Him. By logic, Christians should want others to know the forgiveness, joy, and peace that surpasses all earthly understanding through faith in Jesus Christ. God calls Christians to bear with others in loving patience as humble recipients of that same loving patience and mercy that they found in Jesus Christ.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” – Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)
What is the Christian’s response to injustice and discrimination? They are to meet such sins with both forgiveness and firm yet loving rebuke of these sins. Why? Christians are to be be as the Lord Jesus Christ in all ways. Jesus Christ is all in all and to know Him enables believers to transcend the injustices and discriminations of this world. As the Lord has forgiven much in love, so must Christians. They also are to obey and teach what God says about such sins as injustice and discrimination. They are sins that require repentance. Yes, dear reader, God most certainly sees injustice and discrimination as wrong.
Conclusion – Is The End of Injustice and Discrimination The Church’s Purpose?
Despite the focus and pressure in culture and even some churches, the sins of injustice and discrimination are found among the many other sins of the world such as greed, lying, sexual depravity, murder, blasphemy and on and on the list could go. The church’s Christ-given purpose is to “make disciples of all nations” and nothing less. As wrong and painful as injustice and discrimination are, their eradication is not the purpose of Christ’s church. It is unquestionably noble and good to pursue peace, justice, kindness and equal treatment for others. Alleviating the suffering and wrongs of others is Godly and right, and many Bible verses affirm such goodness. However, the purpose of Christ’s church is to proclaim the Gospel and usher people into God’s Kingdom. Consider the following verses…
“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’ And he said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'” – Luke 10:17-20 (ESV)
What could be a more worthwhile work than freeing people from demons, sickness, and the like? According to Jesus, the greatest joy and hope anyone can ever have is that their name is written in heaven. Meaning, he/she belongs to Jesus Christ. Dear reader, we must understand that there will always be causes, sufferings, and needs in this world that very well may be worthwhile pursuits. However, you only have this life to pursue and find Jesus Christ by faith and be saved. Eternity and judgment loom.
“For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me [Jesus].” – John 12:8 (ESV)
Dear reader, your focus on defeating any injustice or discrimination in this world is noble and commendable, but it is not your greatest need. Do not allow the earthly needs of others to cloud your own peril and great need of Christ. Run to Christ Jesus in repentance and faith, and do good in His holy name in loving response to so great a salvation. Rest assured, this sinful world will rage on, but ultimately God will have the final say. Seek Him and His ways while today is the day of salvation. There is no greater pursuit possible.
May Your Eyes Be Opened To Your Need of Christ,
Eric Conner
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