So I had to write a little report for some extra credit in one of my classes and since I haven't wrote on my blog in a while, I thought I would share it with you. I know that it's not what you normally would read from me, but I did write it... doesn't that count? Plus with school stuff being a little overwhelming this year, it's either this post or nothing. So maybe you will enjoy reading one of my assignments, because I found it to be interesting to write.
When one is to look at cultural diversity in the Bible it is best to start in the Old Testament and realize how it all started. In Genesis 11: 1-9, we see how the whole earth had one language and spoke the same words. The people came together and they decided to build a city and a tower with its top in the heavens. They wanted to build a name for themselves and this displeased God. So God went down and confused the languages so that no one could understand each other’s speech and He scattered them over the face of all the earth. So, this was the beginning of cultural diversity and all the different languages that we have today. Then in Deuteronomy 10:17-19, we see Moses talking to the people and telling them to love the foreigners. He describes God as being a God that shows no partiality and he loves the foreigners by providing food and clothing for them. Therefore, Moses tells the Israelites that they are to love those who are foreigners just as God does and also because they themselves were foreigners in Egypt. In Ezekiel 47:22-23, we see another great example of how we are to love the outsiders and treat them equally. Here we see Ezekiel describing the boundaries of the land that was to be divided among the twelve tribes, and at the end of the chapter he addresses the foreigners that were residing among them. There is much importance show here on how an inheritance is to be given to the foreigners too and that they are to be considered and treated as native-born Israelites. Again, the idea of showing no partiality and displaying love to the foreigners is seen here.
If we move to the New Testament, we see more ways that we are suppose to treat those who are different then ourselves. In John 4:1-26, Jesus gives a perfect example of displaying love to the outsiders. He ministered to a Samaritan woman at the well, and back then Jews and Samaritans did not associate with one another. Even the disciples were surprised to find him talking with the woman, but Jesus was able to break down the barriers and show how we, as Christians, are to love and care for everyone no matter the race or group they are associated with. The gospel books give many examples of how Jesus displays this throughout his ministry here on earth. Whether it was healing the blind and the lame, eating with the poor and the tax collectors, or giving forgiveness to the ones considered a sinner and an outcast. Through Jesus’ ministry here on earth, we are given a great example to follow by and live by as we walk this Christian life.
It is not always easy though, and we see in Acts 10 the encounter that Peter had with Cornelius. While it was against the law that the Jews associate with the Gentiles, God had shown Peter through a vision that he should not consider anyone impure or unclean. Peter could have refused to see Cornelius, but instead he was able to share the gospel with Cornelius and his family, and the Holy Spirit showed up and they were all saved. This displayed how salvation is for everyone and it was not just for the Jews. We are also able to see here how, again, God shows no partiality and God’s people are learning how to love the ones that are different from themselves. A great description how there must be unity among the Christian believers, is seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. It talks about how we are the body of Christ and we are to be as one, and just as the body has different parts, everything must work together to function correctly. This great illustration shows us that we are all different and we are not one the same, but we must work together and there has to be unity. In Galatians 3:28 it says: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ.” So, as followers of Christ, we must act on this statement of truth.
If we were to remember the simple statement that Jesus told us, that we are to love others as we love ourselves, then I think we will get a great understanding of what it means to integrate other cultures into the Christian lifestyle. In James 2:8-9 it says this: “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” I think this is a very clear statement for us to grasp. We have to learn how to put away all differences between cultures and just start to love others as we love our own family, and love others as Christ loves us. I believe that love breaks down barriers, just as Jesus showed love to the Samaritan woman and just as He ministered to the ones that were considered as outcasts to the society. Jesus loved them unconditionally and He showed no partiality. So we must go and do the same because one day we are going to be able to see what true unity looks like. It will be the day when we get to Heaven and see every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne as one, praising and worshiping are Sovereign God. Words cannot even begin to express the awe struck wonder of this glorious day.
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