According to the Australian Oxford dictionary, the word EVIDENCE is “anything that establishes a fact or gives reason for believing something.”
While there are many evidences to show that equality among God’s children is a fact, one which comes to mind is the many descriptions given to those who follow Jesus and are his children. All these descriptions are without any hint of gender distinction and are directed to those who are referred to as ‘THE BODY OF CHRIST’ or ‘THE CHURCH’.
The references below are all from the NRSV – a gender inclusive version.
It is recorded in Matthew 5:13 that Jesus said to his followers, “YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH” and in the following verse “YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.”
In John 15: 5 Jesus describes his disciples in this way: “I am the vine and YOU ARE THE BRANCHES”.
Later in the same chapter in verse 14, Jesus has this to say: “YOU ARE MY FRIENDS if you do what I command you”
Peter’s first letter is addressed to “Those who have been CHOSEN and DESTINED by God the Father and SANCTIFIED by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be SPRINKLED with his blood.”
In chapter 2, verse 5 these same people are named, “LIVING STONES which are being built into a spiritual house – a HOLY PRIESTHOOD, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Verse 9 continues this theme with the addition of their being a “CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, GOD’S OWN PEOPLE, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
These and many other verses show the unqualified EQUALITY of all God’s children. Let us be encouraged by these truths and share them.
