The Declaration of Independence has the phrase “that all men are created equal.” We have had a lot of debate over the years about what that means. People have asked how such a statement could be made when slavery was still legal in most, but not all, of the colonies. Those people have a valid point and contrary to popular teaching, the Founders were aware of it. They agonized over it. Eleven years later when they were putting together the Constitution they had to decide if they wanted one country with slavery or have a bunch of little countries with some having slavery. They decided to go with unity and deal with the slavery issue later. There was no hypocrisy in this statement.
Proverbs 22:2 is what the Declaration of Independence is talking about. We all have a “common bond” (6298). Obviously this verse recognizes rich and poor. Other places it recognizes class differences. So there must be something different, something deeper. The definition of the word is “to meet, encounter.” Although we are different, we are to spend time together. We can do this because there is something deeper than dollar signs and skin pigment that we see in each other.
What we have in common is that God is the “maker” (6213a) of everyone. This is something that is universal. It does not mean we are all going to heaven. It means that we have a certain worth because God made us in His image. We are not dogs or whales. We are born with a unique quality that allows us to respond to the call of God. Lassie may have come when Timmy called, but she could not hear the Holy Spirit. Jesus died for all and we need to remember that.
From our New Testament prospective there is also something even deeper than our common humanity. It is the blood of Christ. When we are washed in the blood something happens that people around us can sense. Read these verses:
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16 KJV)We exude a “savour” (aroma NASB). Brothers and sisters can sense it. Unbelievers can sense it. The OT talks about being made. The NT talks about being remade. That gives us a oneness the world can’t match or understand.
So? Get down off you high horse. Remember we will stand before God without our credit cards and diplomas. Start to get to know your family.
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