Together # 23
A Together that Strengthen
A Together that Strengthen
Treat One Another Equally
copyright by Dick Wulf, 2018
Treat everyone equally with respect and dignity. God does not show favoritism
Rom 2:11; 1 Cor 12:25: 2 Cor 8:13-15; James 2:1-7
God instructs Christians through Scripture to treat one another equally. This came about in the earliest church when widowed Greek believers in need were being left out of the food distribution that went to Jewish Christian widows. This is why the role of deacons in the church was instituted.
In speaking of Christians as being the body of Christ, the Apostle Paul told the conflicted church in Corinth as recorded in 1 Cor 12:25 “there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”
And in addressing favoritism given to wealthier Christians, James 2:1 says, “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.”
Why is treating everyone equally so important? What is God up to in having us make ourselves available without partiality?
This is really a simple question to answer. God is getting us ready to fit into what He wants heaven to be. Can we imagine a heaven where people do not treat one another equally? If we were God, would we want an everlasting, pure society to have any trace of partiality and hurtfulness? Of course not. We would want everyone to be like Jesus. That is made clear in Romans 8:29.
In speaking of Christians as being the body of Christ, the Apostle Paul told the conflicted church in Corinth as recorded in 1 Cor 12:25 “there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”
And in addressing favoritism given to wealthier Christians, James 2:1 says, “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.”
Why is treating everyone equally so important? What is God up to in having us make ourselves available without partiality?
This is really a simple question to answer. God is getting us ready to fit into what He wants heaven to be. Can we imagine a heaven where people do not treat one another equally? If we were God, would we want an everlasting, pure society to have any trace of partiality and hurtfulness? Of course not. We would want everyone to be like Jesus. That is made clear in Romans 8:29.
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son, . . .
Romans 8:29a
to be conformed to the image of his Son, . . .
Romans 8:29a
Everything about the kingdom of God in the present is to prepare for the kingdom of God later in heaven. For God to have the heavenly society of the redeemed He wants, each and every one of us needs to be changing into the image of Jesus. This change is in who we are, our spirits not our bodies. It is silly to think that we are to change physically to be like Jesus. But, the change into the likeness of Christ is more than acting like He did as recorded in the pages of the Bible. It has to do with letting the Holy Spirit work in us to change our spirits and blossom into the new creatures we are in Christ.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Cor 5:17
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Cor 5:17
We might, for example, help a person overcome an addiction. That would be like Jesus in behavior. However, the change we need to make for our future in heaven is to have Jesus’ heart of compassion reside in our spirits and drive the counseling and encouragement. Jesus would do it for the glory of God, and our spirits need to be helped by the Holy Spirit to reach out to the addicted person both with the compassion of Jesus and dedication to God for the task. Jesus would also consider it a wonderful privilege to help set the addict free. Therefore, if we are letting God change our spirits to be like Jesus, we want to feel privileged to help.
Developing such an appreciation for the very difficult task of patiently helping an addicted Christian with its ups and downs, encouragements and discouragements, requires making ourselves available to the Holy Spirit. By treating an addicted person in our Christian Inner Circle with the same extension of love we would with someone who has less problems, we fulfill God’s desire that we treat one another equally. We step up to help with a conviction to love equally. Then, the Holy Spirit can take over, help us know how to help, and transform us more into the likeness of Jesus.
It might be easiest to grasp this treating one another equally if we think of a Christian family. The parents or single parent should take responsibility for each child developing his or her potential to live for God. Equal concern is called for, but most likely it will not be equal effort. Some children will naturally fall in line with living God’s way while others may have rebellious or independent spirits to be tamed. Obviously, God would be pleased with parents concerned equally for each of their children. But, equal concern does not necessarily mean equal effort.
In any group of Christian friends it is no different. A group of four friends, for example, needs to have equal concern that each one is living for God. While one friend might require a lot of spiritual guidance, all four friends need to make sure they address the spiritual needs of the other three. Equal attention to spiritual growth might differ in the amount of interaction, but equal concern is necessary.
Another illustration might help. A friendship group of six married Christian men might determine to help each one stay faithful to their wives sexually and emotionally. Perhaps one of them is a lucky guy who is so unattractive that few women desire to tempt him. Still all other five men have to give him equal observation to make sure that some other commitment not take precedence over his wife, like that new boat or his bowling league. At the other end is the guy who is so attractive that women seem to flirt with him often. He needs equal observation and intervention. These men need to treat one another equally. No one should be left out of the protection of the whole group.
It can be more complicated in a Christian marriage where God’s expectation for equal treatment means that both husband and wife care for one another with fairly equal effort and concern. Unfortunately, it is common to have one spouse thoughtful and loving and the other into his or her “own thing” and not so concerned and caring. Since Scripture indicates God’s desire that Christians treat one another equally, those in that couple’s two Christian Inner Circles need to step up and help the more caring spouse get more equal attention and cooperation from the more self-focused spouse.
Such helpful surveillance of equality in Christian friendships, families and marriages can only be done by Christian Inner Circles where familiarity and trust exists and such scrutiny is acceptable. This task of oversight cannot be delegated to organized churches because they rarely know what really goes on in friendships, families and marriages until it is too late and problems erupt.
What organized churches can do is put effort into making certain that every member has an informed and responsible Christian Inner Circle made up of close relationships with Christian friends and family. There are many who do not have two or three trusted Christian friends. Church leadership should remedy this situation by introducing people and encouraging friendships.
Christians need to treat one another equally to honor God’s request. But we need to treat one another equally to make sure every believer makes progress in preparing for heaven. This is to the glory of God because we want to give Him the heaven He wants, not just the inadequate heaven of which we dream.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Developing such an appreciation for the very difficult task of patiently helping an addicted Christian with its ups and downs, encouragements and discouragements, requires making ourselves available to the Holy Spirit. By treating an addicted person in our Christian Inner Circle with the same extension of love we would with someone who has less problems, we fulfill God’s desire that we treat one another equally. We step up to help with a conviction to love equally. Then, the Holy Spirit can take over, help us know how to help, and transform us more into the likeness of Jesus.
It might be easiest to grasp this treating one another equally if we think of a Christian family. The parents or single parent should take responsibility for each child developing his or her potential to live for God. Equal concern is called for, but most likely it will not be equal effort. Some children will naturally fall in line with living God’s way while others may have rebellious or independent spirits to be tamed. Obviously, God would be pleased with parents concerned equally for each of their children. But, equal concern does not necessarily mean equal effort.
In any group of Christian friends it is no different. A group of four friends, for example, needs to have equal concern that each one is living for God. While one friend might require a lot of spiritual guidance, all four friends need to make sure they address the spiritual needs of the other three. Equal attention to spiritual growth might differ in the amount of interaction, but equal concern is necessary.
Another illustration might help. A friendship group of six married Christian men might determine to help each one stay faithful to their wives sexually and emotionally. Perhaps one of them is a lucky guy who is so unattractive that few women desire to tempt him. Still all other five men have to give him equal observation to make sure that some other commitment not take precedence over his wife, like that new boat or his bowling league. At the other end is the guy who is so attractive that women seem to flirt with him often. He needs equal observation and intervention. These men need to treat one another equally. No one should be left out of the protection of the whole group.
It can be more complicated in a Christian marriage where God’s expectation for equal treatment means that both husband and wife care for one another with fairly equal effort and concern. Unfortunately, it is common to have one spouse thoughtful and loving and the other into his or her “own thing” and not so concerned and caring. Since Scripture indicates God’s desire that Christians treat one another equally, those in that couple’s two Christian Inner Circles need to step up and help the more caring spouse get more equal attention and cooperation from the more self-focused spouse.
Such helpful surveillance of equality in Christian friendships, families and marriages can only be done by Christian Inner Circles where familiarity and trust exists and such scrutiny is acceptable. This task of oversight cannot be delegated to organized churches because they rarely know what really goes on in friendships, families and marriages until it is too late and problems erupt.
What organized churches can do is put effort into making certain that every member has an informed and responsible Christian Inner Circle made up of close relationships with Christian friends and family. There are many who do not have two or three trusted Christian friends. Church leadership should remedy this situation by introducing people and encouraging friendships.
Christians need to treat one another equally to honor God’s request. But we need to treat one another equally to make sure every believer makes progress in preparing for heaven. This is to the glory of God because we want to give Him the heaven He wants, not just the inadequate heaven of which we dream.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Mrs. Landry heard her children speaking disrespectfully of classmates while driving them home after school. She quickly realized that she and the children’s father had work to do. She began right then and there.
“Who are you talking about?” “Some dumb kid at school.” “How do you treat her?” “She tries to talk to me, but I ignore her and walk away.” Mrs. Landry talked with Mr. Landry that night before she forgot what she uncovered. She did not want it to be forgotten among the hassle of everyday living. They told the kids to cancel all plans for Saturday morning, that there would be a family meeting about something very important. When Saturday came, the children were taught that Jesus died for all kinds of people and that treating everyone with equal respect was what they were all going to learn to do. And they were going to learn how being like Jesus in this way could be done at school with the kids that they ridiculed. Treating everyone equally with the virtues of love was discussed, even how to be friendly without having to become a person’s friend. Knowing that their kids would be teased by other kids for being nice to and not rejecting of some of the less popular kids at school, ways to respond were rehearsed. They even came up with some ways to answer why they were being friendly in a way that identified them as Christians who wanted to be like Jesus. |
Seeing when Jesus treated people equally and when He did not will help us understand how we want to be like Him. There are some ways in which He treated all Christians equally, and some ways He did not. (Keep in mind that this Together has only to do with Christians treating Christians equally.)
First, let’s recognize that among the twelve disciples, Jesus was closest to John, who was most likely His cousin. It was John who laid his head on Jesus’ chest at one point during the Last Supper (John 13:23). When Jesus was transfigured and seen with Moses and Elijah (Matt 17:1-3), He included Peter, James and John, but not the other 9 disciples. So, it seems acceptable to treat our closest friends or those we are training special. Those in our Christian Inner Circles will receive things from us more than others. This inequality is approved unless these people become the exclusive recipients of things needed for life such as food, clothing and shelter.
Yet, there is one way in which Jesus treats all believers equally that is quite a challenge for us. He is available equally to all of us if we need Him.
First, let’s recognize that among the twelve disciples, Jesus was closest to John, who was most likely His cousin. It was John who laid his head on Jesus’ chest at one point during the Last Supper (John 13:23). When Jesus was transfigured and seen with Moses and Elijah (Matt 17:1-3), He included Peter, James and John, but not the other 9 disciples. So, it seems acceptable to treat our closest friends or those we are training special. Those in our Christian Inner Circles will receive things from us more than others. This inequality is approved unless these people become the exclusive recipients of things needed for life such as food, clothing and shelter.
Yet, there is one way in which Jesus treats all believers equally that is quite a challenge for us. He is available equally to all of us if we need Him.
. . . for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Heb 13:5b
Heb 13:5b
To be like Jesus, we have to be willing in our spirits to be available to other Christians who seek us. Furthermore, we need to let it be known that we are available. Jesus put it right out there.
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matt 28:20b
Matt 28:20b
Does everyone in our Christian Inner Circles know that if they need us we will be there for them? Do Christian acquaintances outside of our Inner Circles know that if they want our attention or help we will have open arms?
This high standard of availability is set very high, lofty enough for us to have room to grow more like Jesus for the rest of our lives. Look at how Jesus lets us all equally know of His availability.
This high standard of availability is set very high, lofty enough for us to have room to grow more like Jesus for the rest of our lives. Look at how Jesus lets us all equally know of His availability.
And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Luke 11:9-10
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Treating everyone equally in terms of availability can tax those of us who are sought out more because of our spiritual understanding, wisdom, or other resources. This, too, is like Jesus. He was often taxed to His limit in the way of energy and patience by those asking for healing.
Thankfully, other Togethers can come to the rescue for those of us who are overly desired and cannot always respond because of limited time, energy or resources. There is the Together to “Spur One Another on to Love and Good Deeds”, for example. This equal availability is only a problem because we do not help one another become like Jesus, leaving too few to respond to people’s needs. We should be able to refer people who approach us to others not so overburdened. This is the Together to “Commend One Another”.
Church leadership has dropped the ball on this and it comes back to bite them. Ephesians 4 instructs church leaders to prepare the saints for works of service. By only teaching through sermons and Bible study, they hope to successfully prepare Christians to serve one another without making them uncomfortable through expressed expectation. And, those of us who have been leaders in the church know how short of the mark that goes. The easy Christianity we peddle makes it so believers do not take commitment to Jesus Christ seriously.
Thankfully, other Togethers can come to the rescue for those of us who are overly desired and cannot always respond because of limited time, energy or resources. There is the Together to “Spur One Another on to Love and Good Deeds”, for example. This equal availability is only a problem because we do not help one another become like Jesus, leaving too few to respond to people’s needs. We should be able to refer people who approach us to others not so overburdened. This is the Together to “Commend One Another”.
Church leadership has dropped the ball on this and it comes back to bite them. Ephesians 4 instructs church leaders to prepare the saints for works of service. By only teaching through sermons and Bible study, they hope to successfully prepare Christians to serve one another without making them uncomfortable through expressed expectation. And, those of us who have been leaders in the church know how short of the mark that goes. The easy Christianity we peddle makes it so believers do not take commitment to Jesus Christ seriously.
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Mark 8:34
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And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Matt 10:38
Matt 10:38
Have any of us heard a pastor tell the congregation, “We do not serve one another’s needs sufficiently to be worthy of Jesus.” Has any pastor explained the consequences of not being worthy of the One we call “Lord”? If the saying is true that 80% of the work in a church is done by 20% of the members, should not something be said?
We need to help all within our sphere of influence, which includes everyone in our Christian Inner Circles, to be equally available to other Christians who need us. And they need us in all of the Togethers. We need to organize our lives to be available to live the Togethers with one another.
Yet, there is a way in which Jesus is not equally available to all Christians. And that has to do with rewards He has for those who obey His commandments.
We need to help all within our sphere of influence, which includes everyone in our Christian Inner Circles, to be equally available to other Christians who need us. And they need us in all of the Togethers. We need to organize our lives to be available to live the Togethers with one another.
Yet, there is a way in which Jesus is not equally available to all Christians. And that has to do with rewards He has for those who obey His commandments.
“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
John 14:21
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Jesus says here that He will give extra love and show Himself more personally to those who are concerned about what He has asked of them in the way of commandments. And, we must remember that He said this to his disciples in the Upper Room just before He died. While Jesus would include the Ten Commandments, this statement was sandwiched between two repetitions about His new commandment to love one another as He had loved them (John 13:34 & John 15:12).
Because Jesus can give extra love and transparency only to some, we can love to a great extent those who more fully live for Jesus over those who live for Him more casually. We can be available to many to help build them up in the faith. But, if they are not much interested, it seems we would have met the requirement to treat them equally by offering conditioned availability.
To be like Jesus, let’s be equally available to help, but for deeper relationship, equally available in special ways to those who are responding to Jesus.
Opportunity to Worship God
Because Jesus can give extra love and transparency only to some, we can love to a great extent those who more fully live for Jesus over those who live for Him more casually. We can be available to many to help build them up in the faith. But, if they are not much interested, it seems we would have met the requirement to treat them equally by offering conditioned availability.
To be like Jesus, let’s be equally available to help, but for deeper relationship, equally available in special ways to those who are responding to Jesus.
Opportunity to Worship God
Annette has a wide circle of Christian friends from, work, church, and her neighborhood. Because of her job, children, and husband, the amount of time she had to be available to her friends if and when Satan brought pain into their lives was too limited . Therefore, Annette decided to not get so involved in hobbies and activities to be more available to those in her Christian Inner Circle.
Annette let others know that she was there for them if they ever needed. They believed her because she continually asked if life was presenting problems with which she could help. The struggle for her was that some of her friends were always getting themselves trapped in bad relationships and making unrighteous decisions. She was tempted to avoid these people, but she knew God did not play favorites and she wanted to be a servant who treated people equally. Annette knew that God was always there when she needed Him. Through her Bible reading. God constantly reminded her of His availability. So, Annette did the same by checking in with every one of her Christian friends or relatives in her Christian Inner Circle at least once a month. She left no one out. She was ready to go into action for any of them, even the ones who were more difficult to like. Even though no one had ever taught her that being like God was worship, God received Annette’s availability to her Christian Inner Circle as worship anyway. |
It seems that when the Apostle Paul tells the Christians in Rome that God does not play favorites, he is saying that God treats equally those who are in relationship with Him in an identical way, not giving preferential treatment to one or two in a group of similar people. He does not withhold wrath and anger from anyone doing evil and He does not withhold glory, honor and peace from anyone who does good.
God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
Rom 2:6-11 (NIV)
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For us to be like God and reflect His character back to Him, we must treat equally those in our Christian friendships, families and marriages who live righteously. They should all be affirmed, not leaving anyone out. This would then be worship.
For example, a Christian has a friendship group at work of six other people. All seven go out to eat lunch once a week. Around the workplace, they cross paths at least four times a day. If this Christian shows more attention and caring to some in the friendship group than to the others, that is not like God. God is tuned in to all of them simultaneously. The point is that believers should work toward keeping all those in their Christian Inner Circles in mind, not some of them most of the time and others less often. The Christian who wants to reflect God’s nature back to Him as worship will do his or her best to be aware of all of the friends equally, assessing physical and spiritual needs with readiness to help out.
During a month, this group will lunch together four times. Suppose one Christian always watches one or two who can have influence to advance his or her career more than the others and passes the water pitcher to them more frequently. That would not reflect God’s fairness. But, if this Christian passes things to whoever needs them whenever it comes to her or his attention, then that would qualify as worship. It would mimic God always watching and supplying our needs impartially.
We all can easily consider if we show favoritism to some friends over others. Similarly, we can look within our families and evaluate if we are like God in being equally concerned for everyone.
Parents often ask their children to share equally with all of their siblings. They can explain that God shares equally with all of them and they should do likewise. There exists an opportunity for even the youngest child to worship by reflecting God’s fairness.
God is also fair in equally letting Himself be found by people who seek Him wholeheartedly.
For example, a Christian has a friendship group at work of six other people. All seven go out to eat lunch once a week. Around the workplace, they cross paths at least four times a day. If this Christian shows more attention and caring to some in the friendship group than to the others, that is not like God. God is tuned in to all of them simultaneously. The point is that believers should work toward keeping all those in their Christian Inner Circles in mind, not some of them most of the time and others less often. The Christian who wants to reflect God’s nature back to Him as worship will do his or her best to be aware of all of the friends equally, assessing physical and spiritual needs with readiness to help out.
During a month, this group will lunch together four times. Suppose one Christian always watches one or two who can have influence to advance his or her career more than the others and passes the water pitcher to them more frequently. That would not reflect God’s fairness. But, if this Christian passes things to whoever needs them whenever it comes to her or his attention, then that would qualify as worship. It would mimic God always watching and supplying our needs impartially.
We all can easily consider if we show favoritism to some friends over others. Similarly, we can look within our families and evaluate if we are like God in being equally concerned for everyone.
Parents often ask their children to share equally with all of their siblings. They can explain that God shares equally with all of them and they should do likewise. There exists an opportunity for even the youngest child to worship by reflecting God’s fairness.
God is also fair in equally letting Himself be found by people who seek Him wholeheartedly.
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
Jeremiah 29:13
This has application to being available to those who wish to connect with us. By not playing favorites with our response time in getting back to others who seek us, we can reflect God’s nature and worship.
One glaring place in Scripture that shows God’s negative reaction when His people do not treat one another equally has to do with justice.
One glaring place in Scripture that shows God’s negative reaction when His people do not treat one another equally has to do with justice.
For I know how many are your transgressions
and how great are your sins--
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
and turn aside the needy in the gate. . . .
“I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
I will not look upon them.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Amos 5:12, 21-24
and how great are your sins--
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
and turn aside the needy in the gate. . . .
“I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
I will not look upon them.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Amos 5:12, 21-24
Let’s not show partiality or preferential treatment. Let’s not treat other Christians unfairly or without justice. Let’s treat one another equally to worship God acceptably.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
Tenderfoot Hill Community Church is wealthy. Sitting above the town surrounded by extravagant homes, the church attracts high income professionals. In fact, the church owns 20 acres, the whole top of the hill. The view is fantastic. Many costly programs are offered to the whole community, but many town people feel out of place in such plush surroundings.
Surprisingly, the church leaders and people of Tenderfoot Hill Church are very aware that God wants to bless His people equally. As a result of much prayer, the church deeded over 5 acres to a church in town serving a wide variety of poorer people. This church was outgrowing its building. Not only that, but Tenderfoot cut back on some of its luxuries for two years to give $50,000 to Grace Tabernacle so that they could get financing to build a sanctuary on the property. The result of all this is that walls are breaking down between the two economic groups. Grace Tabernacle’s people are being included in planning programs at Tenderfoot Hill, and their people are attending these joint programs of the two churches as difference in doctrines permit. Plus, people are visiting one another’s church services and building bonds of love. Friendships are crossing economic lines and everyone is the better for it. |
We must remember that Satan tries to destroy Christian relationships as a way to dishonor God. Destroying Christian friendships, families and marriages is top priority for the devil, as they are the building blocks of organized churches as well as the church worldwide.
One very effective way to defeat Satan’s attempt to destroy the solidarity of groups of Christians is to discourage preferential treatment to some believers. It is too natural for us to have favorites. Among those in our Christian Inner Circles there are some we like more, are more comfortable with, and think have more to offer us. It is natural to give them special favor, but it is not right or good for the kingdom of God.
In our churches where not everyone has a Christian Inner Circle of friends and relatives who look out for them, people get left out of many of the benefits of the kingdom of God. These overlooked people may be shy so that no one gets to know them. We may mistakenly think that they want to be left alone, but if they did, why would they come to church? More likely, church members are giving attention to those in their Christian Inner Circles and others are unintentionally being overlooked. Whatever the reason that everyone does not get relatively equal benefits of church membership, it is not right or good for the kingdom of God.
Part of the problem is that we do not envision the society of heaven. Far too many of us have never heard any sermon or teaching about what the kingdom should look like in terms of relationships if it is to honor the King. Do we really think that God cares more about a church’s numbers and budget than about whether or not everyone is equally looked out for in both earthly and spiritual needs? Do we even ask ourselves if God is honored? And, if we do and decide He is, have we downgraded God to One who would be happy with less than a mob boss or street gang leader would settle for? Churches must not point to biblical obedience in a few members and give itself a passing grade for the whole church. God asks for “all” to glorify Him and we are content to give Him “some”. How disrespectful!
The pastor and the church leaders would do well to step back and imagine that they are God looking at their church from heaven. From Scripture, what would God be looking for? Well, one thing would be if people in the church are all treated equally.
One very effective way to defeat Satan’s attempt to destroy the solidarity of groups of Christians is to discourage preferential treatment to some believers. It is too natural for us to have favorites. Among those in our Christian Inner Circles there are some we like more, are more comfortable with, and think have more to offer us. It is natural to give them special favor, but it is not right or good for the kingdom of God.
In our churches where not everyone has a Christian Inner Circle of friends and relatives who look out for them, people get left out of many of the benefits of the kingdom of God. These overlooked people may be shy so that no one gets to know them. We may mistakenly think that they want to be left alone, but if they did, why would they come to church? More likely, church members are giving attention to those in their Christian Inner Circles and others are unintentionally being overlooked. Whatever the reason that everyone does not get relatively equal benefits of church membership, it is not right or good for the kingdom of God.
Part of the problem is that we do not envision the society of heaven. Far too many of us have never heard any sermon or teaching about what the kingdom should look like in terms of relationships if it is to honor the King. Do we really think that God cares more about a church’s numbers and budget than about whether or not everyone is equally looked out for in both earthly and spiritual needs? Do we even ask ourselves if God is honored? And, if we do and decide He is, have we downgraded God to One who would be happy with less than a mob boss or street gang leader would settle for? Churches must not point to biblical obedience in a few members and give itself a passing grade for the whole church. God asks for “all” to glorify Him and we are content to give Him “some”. How disrespectful!
The pastor and the church leaders would do well to step back and imagine that they are God looking at their church from heaven. From Scripture, what would God be looking for? Well, one thing would be if people in the church are all treated equally.
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? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
James 2:1-7
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We need to identify in our churches those ways that people might not be treated equally. For example, are godly men not considered for the office of elder because they are less refined in behavior? Closer scrutiny in our churches must be done to defeat Satan’s attempt to keep us from being bound together through treating one another unequally.
How many people have we come across who felt they were not treated equally and either have given up on church or attend but do not commit? Hurt feelings can happen in many ways, but by treating everyone equally, let’s prevent at least this way that Satan works against the church.
Treating every member of a church equally is both easy and difficult. As for making certain that all church members and families have necessary food, clothing and shelter, it is easy. But, with regard to friendships and all of the Togethers, equality is difficult to effect. Like all of the other Togethers, this one to treat everyone equally can only adequately be done in Christian friendships, Christian families and Christian marriages. Then, even if a believer is treated unequally in larger church fellowships, or misperceives it to be so, it won’t be as hurtful if treated equally in these more personal and frequent relationships. This is so important that these basic units of the church need to be instructed on what it means to treat one another equally within friendship groups, families, and marriages.
Most important is equal access to biblical love. The Togethers define what Scripture teaches about what love in the kingdom of God looks like. For example, do we equally pay attention to and examine in a nonjudgmental way the faith of every Christian who is our friend, our immediate family member, and our spouse? With similar questions we can evaluate how equal or partial in effecting all of the other Togethers we are with those in our Christian Inner Circles.
We can’t do all of the Togethers at one time, nor can we focus on everyone at the same time. Life is too busy for that. But, over a year, have we shown more concern for one friend’s spiritual progress than other friends or our children or spouse? Are we conscious about how people can feel left out and hurt if they cannot recall special attention to their physical, emotional and spiritual needs over the past year?
For example, imagine a small group of friends, maybe even all of the members of a small group Bible study, connected by their own email communication network. One person sends out an email telling of a struggle and requesting prayer support. A few respond to the group email with words of encouragement. Others do not, and this might not be hurtful if they seldom do. But, when it is noticed that the same people who almost always respond with an encouraging email do not respond when a certain member of the group emails a request, God notices the hurtful inequality. Action must be taken to honor God and to make sure those showing such favoritism more adequately prepare for heaven.
How many people have we come across who felt they were not treated equally and either have given up on church or attend but do not commit? Hurt feelings can happen in many ways, but by treating everyone equally, let’s prevent at least this way that Satan works against the church.
Treating every member of a church equally is both easy and difficult. As for making certain that all church members and families have necessary food, clothing and shelter, it is easy. But, with regard to friendships and all of the Togethers, equality is difficult to effect. Like all of the other Togethers, this one to treat everyone equally can only adequately be done in Christian friendships, Christian families and Christian marriages. Then, even if a believer is treated unequally in larger church fellowships, or misperceives it to be so, it won’t be as hurtful if treated equally in these more personal and frequent relationships. This is so important that these basic units of the church need to be instructed on what it means to treat one another equally within friendship groups, families, and marriages.
Most important is equal access to biblical love. The Togethers define what Scripture teaches about what love in the kingdom of God looks like. For example, do we equally pay attention to and examine in a nonjudgmental way the faith of every Christian who is our friend, our immediate family member, and our spouse? With similar questions we can evaluate how equal or partial in effecting all of the other Togethers we are with those in our Christian Inner Circles.
We can’t do all of the Togethers at one time, nor can we focus on everyone at the same time. Life is too busy for that. But, over a year, have we shown more concern for one friend’s spiritual progress than other friends or our children or spouse? Are we conscious about how people can feel left out and hurt if they cannot recall special attention to their physical, emotional and spiritual needs over the past year?
For example, imagine a small group of friends, maybe even all of the members of a small group Bible study, connected by their own email communication network. One person sends out an email telling of a struggle and requesting prayer support. A few respond to the group email with words of encouragement. Others do not, and this might not be hurtful if they seldom do. But, when it is noticed that the same people who almost always respond with an encouraging email do not respond when a certain member of the group emails a request, God notices the hurtful inequality. Action must be taken to honor God and to make sure those showing such favoritism more adequately prepare for heaven.
But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
1 Cor 12:24-26
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Note that equality even extends to rejoicing over people’s accomplishments. Teenagers who graduate from alternate high schools after a poor start in education should receive a celebration. Similarly, everyone who gets promoted should be celebrated.
A review of the 65 Togethers will reveal many opportunities to treat one another equally. Each one defeats Satan by strengthening the bonds between us. This, in turn, creates relationships where the Togethers will be lived out, Scriptures obeyed, and Christians made more faithful and tough. Forceful Christians are needed to battle the devil.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
A review of the 65 Togethers will reveal many opportunities to treat one another equally. Each one defeats Satan by strengthening the bonds between us. This, in turn, creates relationships where the Togethers will be lived out, Scriptures obeyed, and Christians made more faithful and tough. Forceful Christians are needed to battle the devil.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
Finally, after months of smoldering anger, Katherine confronted her husband Dylan about his selfishness. She told him that he was always focused on himself and she was getting far too little out of the relationship. Katherine even showed him that as
Christians they were expected to treat one another equally. She was prepared for his denial and enumerated so many examples Dylan was overwhelmed with evidence and a wife who would not back down. Something Katherine said made Dylan afraid that he would lose his wife. He did not want her to leave him and knew he had to change and give her equal time, a fair share of “walking around money”, help with household chores, pitch in more with raising their children, and let her choose more often when he and Katherine did something fun together. In time Dylan confessed his inability to treat others as well as he took care of himself and decided to let the Holy Spirit change him. He was surprised at the result. He began looking forward to serving people as much as looking out for his own needs! He wanted this to continue forever and came to realize that he was, in fact, preparing to do so for eternity in the society of heaven. |
How is the growth in our spirits from treating other Christians equally preparing us for heaven? What is going to be the benefit for believers who change their spirits this side of death by treating other believers more and more impartially?
In heaven there will be no sin and, thus, no favoritism, unfair withholding, or partiality. Each citizen of heaven will treat everyone equally at the level of strength achieved in treating Christians equally. At the start, this will be the level of fairness to all people developed by the time of death. After arriving in heaven, it should be possible to develop the ability to treat the citizens of heaven more and more equally. This will occur more slowly than against the opposition of sin we face now.
Our strengths in treating every Christian equally will determine what jobs we qualify for in heaven. These jobs are the rewards we receive, places of serving God based on what we have done before death. Jesus declared as reported in Matt 16:27, “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”
The best way to describe this is a system of classification of heaven’s jobs. Of course, we don’t really know how this works in heaven, but imagine that it might be levels from zero to ten where a believer with a level of treating people equally with a strength of five will qualify for a level-five job regarding interaction with people in heaven.
An example of a zero level job is a Christian who will not even give food to a starving neighbor because he is of a different race. Almost everyone would have compassion for someone is such dire need. So, if it be possible that such a person is truly redeemed by belief in Christ, in heaven that person will not be qualified for any job where service face-to-face with any of the citizens of heaven is required. On the new earth, he might be assigned to making trails in deep forest where no contact with others is expected. This is because God will not let anyone be treated unequally in His heaven where there is to be no sin.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, an example of a ten level in treating other believers equally would be someone who is loving and accepting of any Christian, even if that person is of a different race, is rich or poor, is infectious with a serious disease, or even is a redeemed terrorist responsible for the deaths of many innocent people. In heaven, that person will be qualified for any position that deals with the citizens of heaven. If there is a welcome committee to meet people the moment after death and their entrance into heaven, this would require a level of ten on treating Christians equally.
All of us probably fall into levels one through nine, qualifying for jobs in serving others in heaven at our different levels of depth in equal love for people. I know that this supposition of mine is a little complicated, but all I hope you will get out of it / is that it is very important for you to treat every Christian equally in action, thoughts, emotions, and prayer.
One great way to work on this is to pray for everyone you see in the news, on television or streaming to your phone, computer, or tablet. There you will be exposed to all races and many bad people. You won’t know if they are Christians, but if you pray for unbelievers hard to pray for, you will be changing your spirit to be able to pray for any kind of Christian. You should actually experience your spirit changing to treat all Christians equally as you feel less and less resistance to praying for the type of people in the past you treated, thought of, or felt about unfairly.
If God plays no favorites and wants us to do likewise, we will now have to fight sinful evaluations of people, consider everyone important, and find joy in being equally available to all those in our Christian Inner Circles. In putting God first, we will be able to start including people we have overlooked or discriminated against.
There is a lot of sinfulness to sidestep to be able to treat others in our lives equally. To do so requires that we put God’s desires far ahead of our own. For our spirits to get stronger in treating all types of people equally, we must adopt God’s value of all of His redeemed people. All of spiritual growth is putting God and His wisdom and desires far above our own. And, God values all of those for whom His Son died.
Let’s help one another now regard other Christians as citizens of heaven whom after death we will want to relate to and serve with great delight. This is what God wants. Let’s prepare to engage with people in heaven by doing so more and more now like the greatest, most pleasant, excited and attentive fast food counter attendant we can imagine.
Imagine an employee taking orders at the counter of a fast food restaurant who seems excited to serve equally every kind of person who comes up to the counter to order. He or she always has a smile in greeting someone, not responding to the customer’s appearance or behavior but to some great joy in being there to meet some new person and be available to serve them. This is rare, but perhaps we have in the past run into such a delightful person. Such a person has a sense that others, all others, are important and everyone deserves to be greeted warmly and treated as if it is a privilege to be at their service.
Don’t think of service employees who have something to gain by treating everyone equally. Restaurant servers who wait on tables and valets who park cars are generally upbeat, and some of them could serve as examples of treating everyone equally, but they are usually driven by the desire for a good tip.
However, the one who takes orders at a fast food restaurant and gets little pay, no tips, and helps people of great variety is a model for the highest levels of treating others equally in the kingdom of God. These folks deal with all kinds, some in a hurry, some who treat them condescendingly, some who have to pay out of scarce resources, some who are wealthy and don’t have to order from the value menu, some who have limited social skills and are rude and demanding, and the list could go on. When we imagine someone who looks forward to meeting all of these kinds of people, loves complementing them when unnecessary for the job, treats them all as if they were as important as the boss, then we have a glimpse of the equality God wants in heaven. Reaching for this level of spiritual ability to treat our Christian contacts with exceptional love is how we want to prepare for heaven.
When we decide to let the Holy Spirit change us to have spirits like this hypothetical fast food counter attendant, we put our spirits in the hands of God to be changed dramatically. We learn to see the value in any Christian in spite of their appearance or behavior. This transforms our spirits to ones that can go into heaven and deliver whatever we have to offer – equally.
Our Lord wants us to treat everyone equally with as much desire and joy as we can muster. More than treating everyone equally because we should, we can grow to share our talents and gifts in such a way that is most welcoming, most excited to engage with others, most affirming of their worth, and most genuinely caring.
This is what God wants his citizens in heaven to be like. In heaven there will be no sin hindering our spirits to exuberantly interact with others to the extent we treated others equally before death. Some of us will be polite and generous while others will be polite and generous with more excitement to interact with others. The first will give every citizen of heaven they meet many pleasant encounters. The last will give every citizen of heaven pleasant and “excited to be involved with you” encounters. There is a difference.
This allegory might help to understand all of this. There is the owner of a plumbing company who does not show favoritism and wants all customers treated equally. A plumber named Mike is good at his job, is a Christian, but gives people of his race more when he fixes a faucet. For them, he polishes the fixture, leaving it looking new. A very satisfied customer of Mike’s race recommended him to her neighbor who was of a different race. The new customer recognized that her faucet was not polished and this discrimination was witnessed by the referring neighbor who then called the company and complained that her neighbor did not get the same treatment as she had. The owner had heard of similar complaints about Mike and faced the fact that Mike was not treating all customers equally. What will the owner do? He is committed that his company will treat everyone the same. But Mike is his wife’s brother, so he cannot fire him.
In this allegory, the owner is God and the business is heaven. While sins were to be expected in the plumbing company, God’s kingdom of heaven requires no sinful behavior. God must put His redeemed people into positions of service where their spirits meet the requirements of the job. So, you can see the position God is in with placing Mike into a place of service that will serve the citizens of heaven with God’s impartial love. In heaven Mike will have to be assigned to a task that will take into account his limited ability to treat everyone equally. Before death, Mike did treat everyone equally when it came to simple politeness, such as letting someone in front of him in the cashier’s line at the grocery store if they only had a few items. So in heaven his spirit is qualified to serve as a ticket-taker at a museum, or some job like that.
Little by little in heaven’s pure atmosphere, over considerable time because there is no sin to challenge and speed up progress, Mike will become more impartial and fair and qualify for more responsible jobs. However, others will also be advancing in finding the value in people of all races and of different interests. So, Mike’s career in heaven will advance, but he will not likely overtake any who started off with spirits stronger in treating others equally.
Now is the time to change our thoughts, feelings and actions to be like Jesus and treat every other believer equally.
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
In heaven there will be no sin and, thus, no favoritism, unfair withholding, or partiality. Each citizen of heaven will treat everyone equally at the level of strength achieved in treating Christians equally. At the start, this will be the level of fairness to all people developed by the time of death. After arriving in heaven, it should be possible to develop the ability to treat the citizens of heaven more and more equally. This will occur more slowly than against the opposition of sin we face now.
Our strengths in treating every Christian equally will determine what jobs we qualify for in heaven. These jobs are the rewards we receive, places of serving God based on what we have done before death. Jesus declared as reported in Matt 16:27, “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”
The best way to describe this is a system of classification of heaven’s jobs. Of course, we don’t really know how this works in heaven, but imagine that it might be levels from zero to ten where a believer with a level of treating people equally with a strength of five will qualify for a level-five job regarding interaction with people in heaven.
An example of a zero level job is a Christian who will not even give food to a starving neighbor because he is of a different race. Almost everyone would have compassion for someone is such dire need. So, if it be possible that such a person is truly redeemed by belief in Christ, in heaven that person will not be qualified for any job where service face-to-face with any of the citizens of heaven is required. On the new earth, he might be assigned to making trails in deep forest where no contact with others is expected. This is because God will not let anyone be treated unequally in His heaven where there is to be no sin.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, an example of a ten level in treating other believers equally would be someone who is loving and accepting of any Christian, even if that person is of a different race, is rich or poor, is infectious with a serious disease, or even is a redeemed terrorist responsible for the deaths of many innocent people. In heaven, that person will be qualified for any position that deals with the citizens of heaven. If there is a welcome committee to meet people the moment after death and their entrance into heaven, this would require a level of ten on treating Christians equally.
All of us probably fall into levels one through nine, qualifying for jobs in serving others in heaven at our different levels of depth in equal love for people. I know that this supposition of mine is a little complicated, but all I hope you will get out of it / is that it is very important for you to treat every Christian equally in action, thoughts, emotions, and prayer.
One great way to work on this is to pray for everyone you see in the news, on television or streaming to your phone, computer, or tablet. There you will be exposed to all races and many bad people. You won’t know if they are Christians, but if you pray for unbelievers hard to pray for, you will be changing your spirit to be able to pray for any kind of Christian. You should actually experience your spirit changing to treat all Christians equally as you feel less and less resistance to praying for the type of people in the past you treated, thought of, or felt about unfairly.
If God plays no favorites and wants us to do likewise, we will now have to fight sinful evaluations of people, consider everyone important, and find joy in being equally available to all those in our Christian Inner Circles. In putting God first, we will be able to start including people we have overlooked or discriminated against.
There is a lot of sinfulness to sidestep to be able to treat others in our lives equally. To do so requires that we put God’s desires far ahead of our own. For our spirits to get stronger in treating all types of people equally, we must adopt God’s value of all of His redeemed people. All of spiritual growth is putting God and His wisdom and desires far above our own. And, God values all of those for whom His Son died.
Let’s help one another now regard other Christians as citizens of heaven whom after death we will want to relate to and serve with great delight. This is what God wants. Let’s prepare to engage with people in heaven by doing so more and more now like the greatest, most pleasant, excited and attentive fast food counter attendant we can imagine.
Imagine an employee taking orders at the counter of a fast food restaurant who seems excited to serve equally every kind of person who comes up to the counter to order. He or she always has a smile in greeting someone, not responding to the customer’s appearance or behavior but to some great joy in being there to meet some new person and be available to serve them. This is rare, but perhaps we have in the past run into such a delightful person. Such a person has a sense that others, all others, are important and everyone deserves to be greeted warmly and treated as if it is a privilege to be at their service.
Don’t think of service employees who have something to gain by treating everyone equally. Restaurant servers who wait on tables and valets who park cars are generally upbeat, and some of them could serve as examples of treating everyone equally, but they are usually driven by the desire for a good tip.
However, the one who takes orders at a fast food restaurant and gets little pay, no tips, and helps people of great variety is a model for the highest levels of treating others equally in the kingdom of God. These folks deal with all kinds, some in a hurry, some who treat them condescendingly, some who have to pay out of scarce resources, some who are wealthy and don’t have to order from the value menu, some who have limited social skills and are rude and demanding, and the list could go on. When we imagine someone who looks forward to meeting all of these kinds of people, loves complementing them when unnecessary for the job, treats them all as if they were as important as the boss, then we have a glimpse of the equality God wants in heaven. Reaching for this level of spiritual ability to treat our Christian contacts with exceptional love is how we want to prepare for heaven.
When we decide to let the Holy Spirit change us to have spirits like this hypothetical fast food counter attendant, we put our spirits in the hands of God to be changed dramatically. We learn to see the value in any Christian in spite of their appearance or behavior. This transforms our spirits to ones that can go into heaven and deliver whatever we have to offer – equally.
Our Lord wants us to treat everyone equally with as much desire and joy as we can muster. More than treating everyone equally because we should, we can grow to share our talents and gifts in such a way that is most welcoming, most excited to engage with others, most affirming of their worth, and most genuinely caring.
This is what God wants his citizens in heaven to be like. In heaven there will be no sin hindering our spirits to exuberantly interact with others to the extent we treated others equally before death. Some of us will be polite and generous while others will be polite and generous with more excitement to interact with others. The first will give every citizen of heaven they meet many pleasant encounters. The last will give every citizen of heaven pleasant and “excited to be involved with you” encounters. There is a difference.
This allegory might help to understand all of this. There is the owner of a plumbing company who does not show favoritism and wants all customers treated equally. A plumber named Mike is good at his job, is a Christian, but gives people of his race more when he fixes a faucet. For them, he polishes the fixture, leaving it looking new. A very satisfied customer of Mike’s race recommended him to her neighbor who was of a different race. The new customer recognized that her faucet was not polished and this discrimination was witnessed by the referring neighbor who then called the company and complained that her neighbor did not get the same treatment as she had. The owner had heard of similar complaints about Mike and faced the fact that Mike was not treating all customers equally. What will the owner do? He is committed that his company will treat everyone the same. But Mike is his wife’s brother, so he cannot fire him.
In this allegory, the owner is God and the business is heaven. While sins were to be expected in the plumbing company, God’s kingdom of heaven requires no sinful behavior. God must put His redeemed people into positions of service where their spirits meet the requirements of the job. So, you can see the position God is in with placing Mike into a place of service that will serve the citizens of heaven with God’s impartial love. In heaven Mike will have to be assigned to a task that will take into account his limited ability to treat everyone equally. Before death, Mike did treat everyone equally when it came to simple politeness, such as letting someone in front of him in the cashier’s line at the grocery store if they only had a few items. So in heaven his spirit is qualified to serve as a ticket-taker at a museum, or some job like that.
Little by little in heaven’s pure atmosphere, over considerable time because there is no sin to challenge and speed up progress, Mike will become more impartial and fair and qualify for more responsible jobs. However, others will also be advancing in finding the value in people of all races and of different interests. So, Mike’s career in heaven will advance, but he will not likely overtake any who started off with spirits stronger in treating others equally.
Now is the time to change our thoughts, feelings and actions to be like Jesus and treat every other believer equally.
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
Where I serve in heaven there are two who are a joy to watch. Connor and Nevaeh work side by side with me at the tedious registration desk for this wilderness retreat in the mountains. Connor works the day shift and I work with him every third day. Nevaeh works on an alternate day and she is just as much a thrill to behold. They are so excited to meet any and every kind of person in heaven in such a welcoming way. Exuberance does not flow from me so naturally. They and I enjoy heaven equally, but they are enjoying something I cannot comprehend.
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In heaven we will not have to make conscious effort to treat everyone equally. It will be totally natural for each of us at whatever level of fairness we have achieved. We will be impartial. We will equally impact the lives of other citizens with the various strengths of our spirits.
Treating others equally in whatever way a situation in heaven calls for will be done with contentment. None of us will struggle with those things that now take away the automatic, natural ability to be fair and without partiality. We will all be content to treat everyone equally.
To contentment can be added joy. A citizen in heaven might have arrived with strength of joy in his or her spirit through various Togethers such as “Serve One Another”, but not necessarily from learning more and more to treat others equally. If this person did not grow much past prejudices and favoritism through the Together to treat one another equally, his or her spirit would not have the uninhibited exuberance of equally serving citizens in heaven. This person will not excitedly hop out of bed to serve all others equally with joy as would a fast food counter attendant who enjoyed their job because it was fun.
But, this can go further. To contentment in serving can be added exuberance through maximum growth of the spirit in treating all people equally. Contented, exuberant service will make heaven so much more vibrant for those of us who grew our spirits into it prior to death. Exuberance added to our equal treatment of others will bring uninhibited enthusiasm to serving others. It will have come from treating before death everyone equally by fusing enjoyment of all people with the thrill of being available. This person will excitedly hop out of bed to serve others to enjoy everyone as would a fast food counter attendant who enjoyed relating to all customers whether likeable or not, giving not only service but personal warmth and affirmation.
So, we will enjoy treating everyone equally in heaven, but our joy in doing so will be limited by how far we let the Holy Spirit stretch us to be fair to those who at first we wished to exclude. Using the fast food example, we can give good service or exuberant service. Let’s help one another get ready to enjoy heaven to a greater degree. Let’s point out to one another when preferential treatment is given that is not righteously appropriate. When we judge people less desirable than others to receive gifts and talents with which God has endowed us, let’s help one another change to be fair and treat them equally. Let’s get one another ready to serve in heaven with greater joy and enthusiasm.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Eternity
Treating others equally in whatever way a situation in heaven calls for will be done with contentment. None of us will struggle with those things that now take away the automatic, natural ability to be fair and without partiality. We will all be content to treat everyone equally.
To contentment can be added joy. A citizen in heaven might have arrived with strength of joy in his or her spirit through various Togethers such as “Serve One Another”, but not necessarily from learning more and more to treat others equally. If this person did not grow much past prejudices and favoritism through the Together to treat one another equally, his or her spirit would not have the uninhibited exuberance of equally serving citizens in heaven. This person will not excitedly hop out of bed to serve all others equally with joy as would a fast food counter attendant who enjoyed their job because it was fun.
But, this can go further. To contentment in serving can be added exuberance through maximum growth of the spirit in treating all people equally. Contented, exuberant service will make heaven so much more vibrant for those of us who grew our spirits into it prior to death. Exuberance added to our equal treatment of others will bring uninhibited enthusiasm to serving others. It will have come from treating before death everyone equally by fusing enjoyment of all people with the thrill of being available. This person will excitedly hop out of bed to serve others to enjoy everyone as would a fast food counter attendant who enjoyed relating to all customers whether likeable or not, giving not only service but personal warmth and affirmation.
So, we will enjoy treating everyone equally in heaven, but our joy in doing so will be limited by how far we let the Holy Spirit stretch us to be fair to those who at first we wished to exclude. Using the fast food example, we can give good service or exuberant service. Let’s help one another get ready to enjoy heaven to a greater degree. Let’s point out to one another when preferential treatment is given that is not righteously appropriate. When we judge people less desirable than others to receive gifts and talents with which God has endowed us, let’s help one another change to be fair and treat them equally. Let’s get one another ready to serve in heaven with greater joy and enthusiasm.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Eternity
I am having the time of my life every day here in heaven. I serve heaven burgers at this small city park in the New Jerusalem. Now, don’t ask me what heaven burgers are made of. I know you wonder if animals are killed for food here. You will just have to wait until you get here to find out. Let’s not get off track. We are talking about the fantastic time I have each day meeting all of the different kinds of people and making them feel welcome and excited about the park.
Actually, I work alone with my little food cart. And, you know what is super special? Sometimes Jesus comes and works beside me and together we get to treat everyone with the same sunny attitude. He doesn’t stay long. He says He has a lot of His brothers and sisters to visit who grew before death to treat people equally to the point of it being pure joy without ambivalence toward some. Each time He comes I am so thankful that my friend Ruben got so upset with me many years before I died for giving more attention and status to attractive and popular people. If it had not been for Ruben, I would not have let the Holy Spirit change my ways and Jesus would not be visiting me so regularly. Oops! Got to go. “Hey! How are you three today? You look like you are ready for a great time in the park. Wow! What good looking clothes you’re all wearing. And such great smiles. Want a heaven burger?” |
There will be a special closeness with God as a result of growing our spirits to be impartial to other believers so that we treat more and more kinds of people with fairness and equality. Three scenarios should help us understand this.
Would we want to spend time with a relative who came to our family reunion and snubbed people, treating some of the family as not worth their time? We would not want to spend much time with that person.
If a man planned a camping and fishing trip for five friends and when in the woods one friend made the others feel unwelcome, would that be someone the host would invite on the next trip? If one man was willing to share bait with only one other fisherman on the trip, would that endear him to the host?
If a woman organized a shopping trip to a nearby larger city and one lady left one or two of the others out of conversations, making them very uncomfortable and the shopping experience tense, would the organizer develop a closer or more distant relationship with that woman in the future?
Why would it be any different with God? Why would we think that in heaven He would seek to be with a Christian who had treated people unequally and unfairly? This would not have to do with God being unforgiving. He will forgive us all. But forgiveness does not obligate God to desire to spend time with someone who before death did not travel very far down the road of treating people equally.
Perhaps we are tempted to think that if God shows no partiality, He will spend equal time with everyone. What seems like a contradiction is not, even though it is a bit mysterious. Contrast the first two verses below with the last two passages.
Would we want to spend time with a relative who came to our family reunion and snubbed people, treating some of the family as not worth their time? We would not want to spend much time with that person.
If a man planned a camping and fishing trip for five friends and when in the woods one friend made the others feel unwelcome, would that be someone the host would invite on the next trip? If one man was willing to share bait with only one other fisherman on the trip, would that endear him to the host?
If a woman organized a shopping trip to a nearby larger city and one lady left one or two of the others out of conversations, making them very uncomfortable and the shopping experience tense, would the organizer develop a closer or more distant relationship with that woman in the future?
Why would it be any different with God? Why would we think that in heaven He would seek to be with a Christian who had treated people unequally and unfairly? This would not have to do with God being unforgiving. He will forgive us all. But forgiveness does not obligate God to desire to spend time with someone who before death did not travel very far down the road of treating people equally.
Perhaps we are tempted to think that if God shows no partiality, He will spend equal time with everyone. What seems like a contradiction is not, even though it is a bit mysterious. Contrast the first two verses below with the last two passages.
Those leaders who seemed to be important [or were prominent/influential] did not change the Good News that I preach [or add anything to my message. (It doesn’t matter to me if they were “important” [prominent; influential] or not. To God everyone is the same.)
Gal 2:6 (Expanded Bible)
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This means that God does not show preference for status. We, too, should not cater more to one person over another, given similar situations. That was the lesson of James 2:1-7 to not give special privileges to the wealthy.
For God does not show favoritism.
Rom 2:11 (NIV)
Rom 2:11 (NIV)
In its larger context, this means that God does not exempt one evil person and not other evil people from punishment. He is not inconsistent and does not make exceptions. Likewise, we are to treat one person practicing greed the same way we treat all greedy offenders. We are to hold an important person accountable for adultery the same as we would an average church member who has been adulterous.
So, equality means treating people the same who are the same in whatever is under consideration. If two children have memorized the same number of Bible passages, they both should be treated equally. If two people rescue a Christian trapped in sin, both should be equally affirmed.
God will give equal special attention to those who are exemplary in treating others equally. They are a special category of saints with respect to a specific obedience and will be treated the same. But those of less obedience to Scriptural fairness will be treated differently. We might consider it the same as how different ranks in the military have different privileges. Higher faithfulness to treating Christians equally when the situations are similar might be like being a high ranking officer in the military with more benefits.
The following two passages clearly state that people will be treated differently by God based on their works. Salvation and entrance into heaven is a gift of God’s grace through Jesus. But, privileges, benefits, and places of service in heaven are earned by works that prove the state of a saint’s spirit, who that believer truly is, his or her essence.
So, equality means treating people the same who are the same in whatever is under consideration. If two children have memorized the same number of Bible passages, they both should be treated equally. If two people rescue a Christian trapped in sin, both should be equally affirmed.
God will give equal special attention to those who are exemplary in treating others equally. They are a special category of saints with respect to a specific obedience and will be treated the same. But those of less obedience to Scriptural fairness will be treated differently. We might consider it the same as how different ranks in the military have different privileges. Higher faithfulness to treating Christians equally when the situations are similar might be like being a high ranking officer in the military with more benefits.
The following two passages clearly state that people will be treated differently by God based on their works. Salvation and entrance into heaven is a gift of God’s grace through Jesus. But, privileges, benefits, and places of service in heaven are earned by works that prove the state of a saint’s spirit, who that believer truly is, his or her essence.
The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’
Luke 19:16-19
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For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
Matt 16:27
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Although we can only speculate how God will be closer to those who were like Him in graciously treating others equally, it makes sense that He will. Even though we are unsure of what that relationship with God will look like, let’s grow to be more impartial and look forward to it.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
O Forgiving and Faithful Father, help me to see those areas where I am unfair and treat people differently. Keep me from hurting people through favoritism where the reason is not righteous and biblically understandable.
Give me direction as to how to help those in my Christian Inner Circle treat other believers more equally. And, when I notice someone leaving people out, give me the words to say to correct the situation.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to treat other Christians equally as You expose their needs as our assignments. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we do not show favoritism with regard to prejudices.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and be available to other Christians without discrimination. And, yet, make us more like Jesus to be more attentive to those in our Christian Inner Circles.
May our lives worship You more because we try to treat equally, dependent upon their needs, all those in our Christian Inner Circles, yet grant special grace and affirmation to those living their lives as You want them to live.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by not letting anyone in our Christian Inner Circles be left out of love, especially needed actions of the Togethers. We do not want to give Satan a foothold in dividing us through favoritism and leaving one another out of the love God has for them through us.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by growing in being fair to more and more people and in treating Christians with equal favor and love. Help us to prepare for positions of service in heaven that will require equal loving and affirming treatment.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
O Forgiving and Faithful Father, help me to see those areas where I am unfair and treat people differently. Keep me from hurting people through favoritism where the reason is not righteous and biblically understandable.
Give me direction as to how to help those in my Christian Inner Circle treat other believers more equally. And, when I notice someone leaving people out, give me the words to say to correct the situation.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to treat other Christians equally as You expose their needs as our assignments. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we do not show favoritism with regard to prejudices.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and be available to other Christians without discrimination. And, yet, make us more like Jesus to be more attentive to those in our Christian Inner Circles.
May our lives worship You more because we try to treat equally, dependent upon their needs, all those in our Christian Inner Circles, yet grant special grace and affirmation to those living their lives as You want them to live.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by not letting anyone in our Christian Inner Circles be left out of love, especially needed actions of the Togethers. We do not want to give Satan a foothold in dividing us through favoritism and leaving one another out of the love God has for them through us.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by growing in being fair to more and more people and in treating Christians with equal favor and love. Help us to prepare for positions of service in heaven that will require equal loving and affirming treatment.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.