There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galations 3:28

This passage does not mean that there are no differences and we are all the same in the here and now. Case in point: my husband is male, I am female. We are of different ethnicities. He is clearly not exactly like me. He doesn’t look like me, he doesn’t act like me, he has different giftings, and he has a different job. Happily, we’re both free (not slaves) – we have that in common. (Although sometimes your job can make you feel not very free!)

The point is that we are all equally valuable in Christ Jesus. One day, in heaven, some of our differences will actually be done away with. But here, on earth, despite our differences, we are to regard and treat one another with equality in value and concern and love, understanding that we as believers are one body in Christ Jesus, regardless of ethnic background, position, wealth, age, ability, language, fashion sense, class, race, or gender.

I think we might even have to try to love those who have strange ideas or vote differently than we do. Not that there isn’t room for discussion…