In order to more fully understand the nature of the conflict in our nation today, it is helpful for believers to take a few steps back and consider the history of the human race. Ever since our beginnings, oppression has ruled the day. The strong have abused the weak. The idea that “might makes right” has made existence miserable for too many – countless men, women and children have lived out their lives in helpless subjugation to self-seeking oppressors who just happened to get the upper hand.
Now we have something different in the world. It didn’t happen in ancient Egypt or Assyria. It didn’t happen in supposedly enlightened Greece and Rome, where slavery ruled the day and women were literally thought to be inferior to men. Just ask Aristotle and Plato. It certainly didn’t happen in the Far East, or in the long and tiresome list of monarchs ruling in Europe over the centuries. It was always and ever the abuse of the powerless by the powerful. “Who died and made you king?” was accepted for truth.
But here are these beautiful life-changing words. “All men are created equal”. Where did they come from? We go back to the words of our Lord. “Whoever would be great among you must be the servant of all”. This is the perfect One poured out his life on the cross as a common criminal, “despised and rejected”. What wondrous love is this? Then on to the Apostle Paul. “In Christ there is neither male nor female, slave nor free, Jew nor Gentile”. And the world changed forever. Yes, we have a very long way to go. But we have it right; we have been given the foundation for what gives all of us dignity and freedom at the deepest level of our existence. Let’s give thanks!