Identity Politics Have NO Place In The Church

Galatians 3:26-28

White churches, Black churches, Hispanic churches, conservative churches, liberal churches, contemporary services, traditional services, children's church, etc., churches have mastered the art of dividing the body of Christ. We have decided that we want to worship with only those who look like, act like, and think like us. So, we make people who are different feel unwelcome until they leave. This is completely unbiblical!

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For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 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.

Galatians 3:26-28

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Many people who claim to hate identity politics invite it into the church. Sure, they probably do not like the flavor of the mainstream teachings of identity politics, but when it comes to church, they love to misquote Paul in II Corinthians 6:14. They say "Be ye not unequally yoked". Then they proceed to say, "that means...".

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Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

II Corinthians 6:14

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To use this verse to say anything other than to not bind yourself in an agreement with a lost person is wrong, and it is sin. A Christian should not enter into a business contract or venture with a lost person. Why? Because we answer to different different moral authorities. We are going to have different values. This does not mean that the other person is a terrible person, but all too often it results in conflicts and the Christians ends up being the one to compromise.

The same is true for marriage. A Christian should not marry a lost person. This verse has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the color of someone's skin. It says to not be "unequally yoked with unbelievers". To attach skin color to this verse is to act like the Jews when they believed the Gospel was only for the Jews. Essentially in that statement they were saying that all gentiles were going to Hell based on their race. That is the opposite of what Christ taught. He went to many gentiles during His ministry. Are we going make ourselves guilty of this same heresy by judging someone else by the color of their skin?

Paul says in this text that we are "all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus". He has very much been discussing race prior to this text. He criticized Peter for treating the Gentiles differently. Paul makes this bold statement that we are all children, brothers and sisters, by faith in Christ Jesus. This is not based on appearance, but on the Spirit of God in us.

Then in verse 28, Paul makes his point clear. There are no racial differences in the church. There are no class systems or socioeconomic classes in the church. There is no chauvinism in the church (male chauvinism or women's lib). While the Bible very much teaches differences, this does not make one person of more value than another.

Father, help me to view everyone as worthy of your blood and grace. May I not think more highly of myself than I should. I pray that your love would fill be that I may live peaceably with all men.