Celebrating Diversity?

Today it is demanded that we are to "celebrate diversity"! That's the politically correct thing to do. At one time cultural diversity was the watchword. Now it includes sexual persuasions and gender bending. With diversity it seems that people are always, according to the thought police anyway, offending some cultural group. Does celebrating diversity unite or divide?

Never, in the  post-Reconstruction era has the United States been more divided and that division is proportional to the degree which the nation focuses on differences! True, I don't have data to support this argument, but any fool can see the rain coming down! As my college calculus teacher always said "It should be intuitively obvious!"

During the time I was working on my undergraduate degree social science focused on assimilation. America always welcomed immigration, some of it forced, and most people  blended into mainstream culture as time passed. America was called "The Great Melting Pot"! Social scientists and government encouraged a homogeneous nation, living in harmony, all with the same culture. Immigrants were encouraged to assimilate and become Americans. Those nationalities, cultures and ethnicities who migrated to the United States were fused into one. American Indians have also been encouraged to assimilate at different times. As for the black race, assimilation has been much harder.

Although it's generally said that prejudice is because of the pigmentation of the skin, it seems that skin color is the obvious tag for those of a different culture. It has been exponentially more difficult for blacks to assimilate because of their previous heritage of primitive societies and slavery. Although all blacks are not descended from slaves, the black skin targets them. It would seem that black prejudice is more cultural than physical.

On August 14, 1862, Abraham Lincoln spoke to a group of black ministers to encourage their resettlement. Here are the reasons given:

"You and we are different races. We have between us a broader difference than exists between almost any other two races. Whether it is right or wrong I need not discuss, but this physical difference is a great disadvantage to us both, as I think your race suffers very greatly, many of them, by living among us, while ours suffers from your presence. In a word, we suffer on each side. If this is admitted, it affords a reason at least why we should be separated.

... Even when you cease to be slaves, you are yet far removed from being placed on an equality with the white race ... The aspiration of men is to enjoy equality with the best when free, but on this broad continent, not a single man of your race is made the equal of a single man of ours. Go where you are treated the best, and the ban is still upon you."

 Lincoln spoke in terms of color, but the implication was the culture "We have between us a broader difference". Of course skin color is the marker that points toward the culture.

Now for my point: Constant illumination of our differences divides the races! Celebrating diversity divides.

Those who proudly proclaim themselves "African-Americans" are partially responsible for other races constantly reacting to racial differences. All races are "bros", not just black to black!  Although it is supposed by the Judeo-Christian world that God created the races equal, mankind has done the utmost to dwell on our inequality. The Negro race is not inferior to the Caucasoid for God created us all equal. There is one common denominator in God's eyes. His mercy is for all of us!

Acts 10:33 b "...we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."

God wills that people of all nations become one. The "oneness" in which we're united is being "accepted with him". We assimilate under the nation of Jesus. As Christians become citizens of the kingdom of God, diversity is left behind. Those who kneel to God in heaven won't be slaves:

 Romans 14:11 "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."

Kings and slaves shall bow to Jesus, side by side, with no thought on diversity.  In unison each and every person of the various nations with their "tongue shall confess to God"!   That was always the case and always will be. It was first said long ago: "For it is written"... where?

Isaiah 45:22 "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear."

And just what is it that every tongue will confess or swear?

Isaiah 45:24 "... in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed."

The focus is taken off man and placed on God!  Righteousness blurs any differences between the peoples of the earth.

Let's take a look at citizens in the kingdom of God. They will be as they were on earth, but in heaven there will be a melting pot. The Ethiopian of color baptized by Philip will be a servant to God, although he was a centurion in the world. The lowly mixed race Samaritan will kneel beside Emperor Constantine as equals as they credit God for his grace and their strength.

Skin color and racial features will always be. Those in heaven will be recognizable as they appeared on earth. Although physical differences will continue to exist the culture of all will be the same. There will be no racial hatred nor jealousies. There won't be rich and poor. Everyone will be blessed! What's more, everyone will be servants to God and to one another! With the culture of meekness comes equality and that's where glorified men will gather.

Let's return for a minute to earth! It is said in The Lord's Prayer:

Matthew 6:10 "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

What God is saying is "Why wait? Do my will now!" To love one another is an earthly thing which we do in order to get to heaven. If we don't love people here we can't even be citizens of heaven! Sin cannot be in the presence of God.

Culture is a continuum. It includes all patterns of living from barbarian to saint. Those who are saints (the saved) must assist those that are barbarians. The Great Commission is to pull them along into Christ's culture; a condition of righteousness. It's understandable that people don't like the culture of riot, theft, drugs, sex, broken homes, and lack of education. However, for that to change will take great effort on the part of society and the black community. It's God's will that the culture barrier be broken down, Lincoln proved wrong and there be unity in Christ. As nations turn to God animosities will be stilled!  Citizens of the City of God will be blind to diversity and proud of assimilation into the righteousness of God!