One in Christ Alone
Our Second Gospel Truth
(This contrasts with the falsehood published earlier online)
One in Christ Alone
The Word of God teaches that all humans are created by God. In this sense, all humanity is equal. No human being has intrinsically more value than another in God’s eyes. But there is a distinction between people. Some are not only God’s creatures, but His children. This truth has become offensive to most people; no one likes the idea that some might be out of the family. But the children of God recognize him as the Creator, distinct from his creation. They have accepted his revelation of himself in his word as well as his offer of forgiveness that erases their sin, and have place their faith in Jesus, his Son. They have come to God not on their own terms, but on his.
Non-Christins think Christians are proud when they created these categories between people. However, each Christian knows that if he has been adopted into God’s family, it is only by God’s undeserved kindness. There is no pride in faith. Faith is simply the belief that we can do nothing to save ourselves, but that we rely utterly on the gift of God. So, this definition of family is not made in pride, but in humility. What could be proud about admitting you are not God?
Does pride not characterize rather the person who sees himself as divine, and determines for herself what is true and false? A Christian receives truth from a God to whom he submits his finite understanding. A pagan creates his own truth, pretending to interpret the world from the throne he has usurped from the Creator. In Jeremiah we read: “every man’s own word becomes his oracle and so you distort the words of the living God” (Jeremiah 23:36). Here we see the difference between Christianity and paganism. Through his word, God defines truth to his people. Pagans define it for themselves.
Today we hear a lot of talk about multi-culturalism. Because our globe has become so small, we are beginning to realize that all men and women share the same joys and sorrows, the same struggle against disease and disaster, and the same desire for a happier life. However, true unity can only come in Christ. I do not mean to imply that only Christians know how to be kind to others, or to take a stand for self-sacrifice. Some Christians fall terribly short of the love God makes possible, and some non-Christians are generous and helpful. But we must define unity as God defines it, not as we would like to see it. God is the only one who can see and judge the motives of our hearts.
God divides people into two categories: those who believe on Jesus Christ, for whom there is no condemnation, and those who are condemned by their lack of belief (John 3:18). Those who belong to Jesus will live in perfect harmony forever in the kingdom he is preparing. Christians are not one with pagans, for each serves a different master.
Solus Christus