We are all equal. I did not say ‘the same’. I said equal. in one place in scripture it says that God is no respecter of people, doesn’t show partiality (Acts 10:34). But, to get really specific:
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, you have taken on His characteristics and values]. There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority]. And if you belong to Christ [if you are in Him], then you are Abraham’s descendants, and [spiritual] heirs according to [God’s] promise.” (Galatians 3:27-29, AMP)
There is a qualifier… ‘in regard to salvation’. But this is huge, especially when we consider how we need to see and relate to one another. The point – we are equal. But we are not the same. However… what is ‘in regard to salvation’ mean? Simply, that equality is based in being saved, accepting the invitation to make Jesus our Lord. However… don’t miss the ‘And’ either. We are also heirs according to God’s promise. If you need further confirmation of being an heir:
“The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.” (Romans 8:16-17, AMP)
Yes, it does say if we share in His suffering. I’ve always believed that this is an individually defined word, so what kind of sufferings would we share in? Perhaps rejection, being misunderstood, excluded, etc. While we all don’t experience the more visible sufferings – loss of a family member, loss of job, loss of (fill in the blank), most of us ‘suffer’ on some level… in some area. This, however, is not what I understand about ‘share in His suffering’.
To be perfectly clear… I’m not certain I have an answer to this. I’ve read a great deal of commentary on this verse in Romans and how other people define and describe this state… but… I’m still uncertain. Except. I do believe that if we are bold and confident in our stand in Jesus, then it is inevitable that we will ‘suffer’ exclusion and misunderstanding. So did Jesus. Fortunately that understanding gives us a model as to how to respond. Bottom line for me is to stand confident in that which I believe and in whom, and doing what I can to help others understand.
However, the bottom line is that we all are equal in God’s eyes when we stand in our status as believers in Jesus. Not the same…. just equal.
