COLOSSIANS 3:11 - NO DISCRIMINATION

All distinctions vanish 

for those in whom Christ lives,

For we are no longer who we were 

because of the life He gives.

Our nationality, education, or status 

should not be dividing lines;

For we should be as one in Christ, 

and our lives should be intertwined.

“[In this new creation all distinctions vanish]; 

there is no room for

and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, 

circumcised nor uncircumcised,

 [nor difference between nations whether alien] 

barbarians or Scythians

 [who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; 

but Christ is all and in all – everything and everywhere, 

to all men without distinction of person.”

Colossians 3:11 (Amplified Version)

barbarŏs⁹¹⁵ -  a foreigner (i.e. non-Greek): - barbarian.

Skuthēs⁴⁶⁵⁸ – a Scythene or Scythian, i.e. (by impl.) a savage.

            There should be no discrimination in the church. There should be no prejudice in the house of God. Race, education, socio-economic status – none of these should divide us. A popular gospel song says, “If you belong to Jesus, you belong with me.” Oh, how God would be glorified if our churches would live out those words!

            When I was in my early twenties, I was a member of a predominantly White protestant church. One of my closest friends heard about an organization that paired larger church groups with small, economically challenged neighborhoods and churches. She approached our singles minister with the idea of partnering with a Black church in southeast Fort Worth and he, in turn, asked me to co-lead this adventure with Susan Nielson. Our first project was simple enough…collect boxes of 24 crayons to be delivered to every first grader in the neighborhood elementary school. They were excited to receive them. We also helped to provide and deliver Thanksgiving groceries to several needy families.

The most memorable project, however, was working alongside our brothers and sisters at the 2^nd Timothy Missionary Baptist Church to tear down a condemned building on their property. We tore down the small wooden building board by board, pulling out nails with claw hammers. When we finally got it down to the frame, we pulled that down with a jeep. Then the pastor and some of the other stronger men broke up the cement porch with sledge hammers. It took two Saturdays (one of them in the rain!) to complete the project and make their property safe for their children. Our singles furnished sandwiches and soft drinks the first Saturday, and their congregation prepared chili dogs and lemonade the next.

            After breaking down the racial barriers by sweating side by side, Pastor Amos invited our group to sing at a Sunday afternoon church anniversary service. What a marvelous experience! Four words into my solo, shouts of “amen” and “Sing it, sister” buoyed me up to praise God in song as I never had before. Then one Sunday, their entire congregation (about 25 people) visited our church. I believe they felt welcomed as well.

            Father, I pray that we might come alongside our brothers and sisters of all races, nationalities, and socio-economic backgrounds for your glory. Help us to look deeper than all those things and see your Holy Spirit within each other so that we may serve you together. Thank you for loving each of us even before we loved you