All of us are made in the image of God- male and female He created us (Gen. 1:27). Every one of us is made in this image, our skin colour included. Nevertheless, we are not all to be the same, look the same or talk the same. Each one of us distinctively represents a part of the image of God and that is how God created it. God’s great goal in all of history is to uphold and display the glory of His name for the enjoyment of his people from all nations. There is a solid biblical conviction that ethnic diversity in the church is a beautiful thing, and part of God’s ultimate design for his people.
All one in the body
In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul explains how each body part is important to the whole body, illustrating the symmetry with us as Christians. As unique as our features are to our body, is how each individual is to God’s family (v.27). Every member with a different yet vital role to play belonging to this body. We are all part of the church, the body of Christ (Col. 1:18). God designed it that each member of our body functions conjointly with the other (v.18). As a puzzle that fits precisely together once completed is the semblance of the body of Christ when working together as one.
If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
1 Corinthians 12:16-17
Similarly, the gifts we have been given by the Spirit for use in the body are different for each person. Although the gifts are distinguishable, they collectively work in harmony for the glory of God (1 Cor. 12:11). Regardless of the differences, we all function under one Spirit, being united in our diversity.
There are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
This is the same with our community as Christians. All of our talents, gifts, personalities and characteristics are joined together to share and preach the Gospel of Christ. And all people, creed, nation and body is connected to reflect and be His body, the Church, to the world. We are united under one name, Jesus Christ, with one indwelling Holy Spirit serving one God, in three Persons.
All nations to be saved
The Gospel is for all people, for the Jews first then the Gentiles, everyone not a Jew (Rom. 1:16). Saying that, under Christ, we are all one, neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female (Gal. 3:28). There is no exclusion of salvation for any one race, nation or people, God desires that everyone should be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). For us to then to try to exclude anyone from receiving the Gospel or spreading a message that some groups are not included is incorrect and false. No one is left out. In 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul says he has become all things to all people in order to share the Gospel. He expresses the need to understand and relate personally to the different personalities and cultures of the people he wishes to share the Gospel with.
As Christians, we can never look down on any other group because of our place in Gods family. Although we are now part of the family, we did not always have this position. We are saved by grace alone, through our faith in Christ Jesus alone (Eph. 2:8). Once we were like the ones who did not know God, but now that we do, we should have even more grace for those yet to find Him. Our faith should not drive us to pride in any capacity, if anything, it should lead us towards more humility. As salvation is something we did not earn and did not deserve, however, God chose us, loved us and welcomed us into His family (Eph. 1:4-5). And He can do the same for the person next to us, or in a different country or someone who does not even speak our language. Salvation transcends all boundaries, it is for all mankind.
