Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your "equity" (reasonableness, gentleness, fairness) be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. [Philippians 4:4-5]
We hear a lot today about equity. Equity is basically defined as equality of outcome, not merely that everyone is equal. Some are saying there is no way to possibly guarantee the same outcome of success or education or income for people. Others are saying we need to make sure that any bit of unfairness is rooted out from our society. But what does Scripture have to say?
Philippians 4 addresses equity, but it starts at a different place. It starts with our own position before our Creator- rejoicing that we have been received as God's child. Rejoicing is where the Christian life begins. Rejoicing that God has worked on our behalf. Rejoicing that we have the love of God. Rejoicing that we have a purpose, a place, a King. We rejoice in what we have, and we are not controlled by envy, anger, or greed by what we do not.
Rejoicing leads us into a life of equity. Fairness. Making sure justice is done. Seeking out the welfare of others. But our fairness is anchored in this: The Lord is near. For Christians, our equity is rooted in the equal place and reward we have by faith. "The ground is level at the foot of the cross," they say. We strive for all to know their solid place in God's kingdom, and how God looks at all of us equitably.
Any equity that is not rooted in the Lord's presence will not work. Truly, any equality not rooted in God's command that we are all made in God's image will not last. We rejoice today, because God has demonstrated his love in Christ. We rejoice because we all get to share in the presence of God. We rejoice because we kneel together as equals, worshiping the True God, sharing equally in the promise of salvation.
Whatever your stance on equity in the world or workplace, may you be guided by the equity- the reasonableness, gentleness, and fairness- of God in Christ. And may you rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again- rejoice!
Father in heaven, You love the whole world. You sent Your S
on for the whole world. And we rejoice that we are among the company of believers whom You have rescued and redeemed. Empower us to live in a way that demonstrates we know You are near. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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