Day 23 "Jesus, The Great Equalizer"

A couple of years ago, I worked as a quality auditor for a division that was part of a much larger corporation. I had a front row seat to watch and observe the dynamics of corporate structure as it related to its employees and how they functioned under such a structure. For the most part, the overall guidance for the operations of our plant was top down beginning with upper management at headquarters which was out-of-state, then filtering downward through a series of branches and departments, each having their own supervisor with assistant supervisors and employees under them, ever expanding in numbers the further down the management flowchart one descends. The higher one rose in this corporate structure, the more ownership would be undertaken. As for the average, everyday worker, one worked more in a slave-like capacity whose value to the company was measure strictly by performance and productivity. When performance and productivity dominate the corporate landscape, fear becomes one of the main driving forces and by-product. It may not be said blatantly outright, but everyone is worried and concerned by what those above them are thinking and how they are being evaluated by them. Everyone looks to the one just above them for their job security. People in this environment tend to limit their interaction with one another to work related issues and activities. One is likely to observe very little socializing outside working hours among the same people. There are other barriers in the corporate world that compartmentalize us. How about blue collar (average worker) and white collar (management)? Salaried and hourly workers? As employees, most of us are aware of our status in the company where we work, and where we stand value-wise in relationship to one another and to the company.

Outside the workforce, we continue to encounter separation for one another. It may be along the lines of the color of our skin, where we live, the amount of wealth we have accumulated, our educational background, our gender, whether we are healthy or unhealthy, mentally sound or unsound, even by the sport teams we like or dislike. Let's face it, there are number of reasons to keep us apart from one another! Such is the mind-set in the world.

But in Jesus Christ, we are all the same. All of us have sinned. All of us have been separated from a holy and just God. All of us have been redeemed, justified, and reconciled back into a relationship with our Heavenly Father by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross. All of us through Christ have become a member of God's family. All of us in Christ now look forward to experiencing eternal life in God's kingdom. So, like the worldly mindset, where does our individual boasting come from for such accomplishments?

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live

when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,

the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient." Ephesians 2:1-2

"All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful

nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature

objects of wrath." Ephesians 2:3

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with

Christ even when were were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been

saved." Ephesians 2:4-5

"For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith- and not from yourselves, it

is a gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

"Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires

works? No, because of the law that requires faith." Romans 3:23

"Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that observing the

law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart

from observing the law." Romans 3:27-28

As a result of none of us earning our way to heaven or reestablishing our relationships with God, Jesus has become our one and only one way back to the Heavenly Father.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Though the world may look upon itself and say that nothing has changed, spiritually everything has changed! Jesus has become the great equalizer of us all.

"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once

regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer." 2 Corinthians 5:16

It may be that you happen to meet the president of the United States face to face. From a worldly point of view, you probably would address him or her as Mister President or Madame President. But from a spiritual point of view, you would see that same person as just another ragamuffin like you in need of a savior. You might bump into a lowly janitor of an elementary school. From a worldly perspective, you might see and value this person beneath you. But from a spiritual point of view, see that person as an equal. You may even come across a prostitute standing on a street corner at night or see a drunkard staggering down an alley way making his way or forging for food. Isn't it our natural tendency to look down upon such people? But not in Jesus-not when we look through our spiritual eyes.

"A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must

love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love

for one another." John 13:34-35

"For Christ's love compel us." Romans 5:14

"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view." Romans 5:16

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When we see a person through the eyes and love of Jesus, we see our equal.

Ask God to help you to see people as He sees them. I'll see you tomorrow....