Are ALL men created equal?

The United States was founded on this principle..."All men are created equal." But looking back thru our history, I wonder if this initial vision of equality was broad enough? If it was...then what about the Native Americans and the black slaves brought over from Africa ~ was the vision broad enough to include them? What about women? Have we not been fighting for women's rights all thru history?

Equality...do we, as Americans even understand what this term means? Do we, as Christians understand what this term means? In our day to day interactions do we really show by our actions that we believe people are equal in the eyes of God?

• If we believed this, then how much respect do we offer the handicap?
• If all people are equal ... then do we give up our pew seat to the homeless man who just came into the church?

GALATIANS 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Before Christ, the Gentiles (male or female) were not to eat with Jews, but then Christ invited them to a great banquet where they all shared equally. (Matthew 22:1-4) The story of Onesimus is a great example of the transformation in the status of slaves. Before Christ, he (Onesimus) was property , but after Christ, he gained the status of a brother to the one who legally owned him. You see Onesimus was the slave of a Christian named Philemon. After running away from Philemon, somehow Onesimus came into contact with Paul. Paul led Onesimus to Christ and his life was transformed, as well as his relationship with his master. Onesimus was now brothers in Christ with Philemon.

When we become one in Christ with our brothers, the love of Christ unites our hearts.

• Why do you suppose it was better for Onesimus to be brothers with Philemon rather than a slave?
•  Wouldn't it have been better for Philemon to have someone to do things for him?
• As a slave, certainly one can take care of the physical needs ~ but when you are feeling down and worrying about your future, who do you suppose could lift you up...a slave or a Christian brother?

In last weeks YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I asked the following question: "What caused you to separate from someone who was like a brother or sister?" The top 3 answers were...

1. 40% of those voting, said that they were separated by going in different directions.
2. 20% of those polled said that getting married separated their relationship with each other.
3. Another 20% voted and said that job relocations caused a separation.

Alot of things can separate us from the ones that we love. One of the saddest things to happen in a relationship is when two people become separated from each other because they grow apart. Maybe one treats the other like they are better or more successful than the other. When this happens, we must remember that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God and God does not see your opportunites, or your successes as much as He sees YOU as His child ... He sees you the same way He sees everyone else that calls Him FATHER!

EQUALITY is seeing others the way Christ sees them!