By Josiah Espinoza | August 22nd, 2019 

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  ~ Galatians 3:27-28

In a post-modernistic, post-feminist and present racial theoretical culture, the definition and concept of unity has been twisted and ill defined. For many, unity can only be achieved through the destruction and reconstruction of socio-economic and political powers. Black culture can only unite with white culture if white culture “repents” and “atones” for the sins of their ancestors, for slavery they did not commit and for advantages they “unfairly received”. Women can only unite with men if men emasculate themselves, accept the radical feminist definition of toxic masculinity and fight to suppress toxic masculinity and step down from their God ordained roles as heads of their homes. The poor can unite with the rich only if the rich recognize their unfair power, dismantle their structures of oppression and disseminate their wealth equally to everyone. But this is not repentance or atonement, it is penance. Pay for your sins to appease the covetousness and hateful attitudes of the “oppressed” masses. If you do not bow the knee to this identitarian leftist mob, you will be publicly crucified and be forced to bow by legislative power.

Of course, the nature of man is inherently depraved and when confronted with such ludicrous ideology the natural tendency is to rebel. However, the “oppressed and disenfranchised” are also fallen creatures ready to use any means necessary to force their ideology on a culture that is quickly descending into chaos. So what is the result? The result is a divided people, black against white, men against women and poor against rich. Each group using their means of power to crush the other. What’s the answer? In a word, εὐαγγέλιον.

The Gospel

The εὐαγγέλιον (gospel) is the outworking of the eternal covenant that the Triune God made between himself and his elect people to reconcile his people back to him and to one another. All of creation is fallen and separated from God. Humanity does not commune with God, it does not desire to commune with God, indeed it cannot because humanity hates God. As a result, the sinful nature of man is made manifest toward one another in all kinds of evil ways. White hates black, women hate men and the poor hate the rich. People murder each other, steal from each other, covet each others things. Nations rise against nations out of jealousy and quarreling. Men are violent toward women, women are violent toward their children and the rich are treated unfairly in the justice system. There are so many things we can plainly see that are unmerciful, brutal and wicked. The only hope humanity has to reconcile with one another is to reconcile itself back to God. The only way humanity can reconcile itself to God is to bow the knee in true godly repentance and faith through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He paid the price, he made satisfaction for us to God, he propitiated our sins and therefore we have reconciliation with God, but not only with God, with one another! 1 John 4:20 states, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” How can you say you love God but hate your white brother? How can you say you love God but hate you male brother? How can you say you love God but hate you rich brother? You may say, “How have I hated them?” When you call them racist without cause. When you call them misogynistic without cause. When you call them oppressor without cause, you are hating them without cause. If Christ has so loved them that he would save them, how much more should you love them with the love that Christ has shown you? Unless, of course, you do not love them thereby proving that you are a child of the devil. How can I say this?

Unity in Christ

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Notice the logical conclusion Paul makes in this passage. Were you baptized in Christ? Then you have put on Christ. You cannot claim to be in Christ and not put on the character and nature of Christ. If you were baptized into Christ, meaning, you have bowed the knee to his Lordship, proclaimed him as King of your life, entered into relationship with him by the power of the Spirit, then you have put on Christ. If you have put on Christ you have been reconciled to God and also to your brother and sister. Who is your brother and sister? Anyone who bears the name of Christ, regardless of their skin, gender or social class.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” No matter what racial, ethnic, social or economic background you come from, you are not greater than your brother or sister. In the true church of Christ, there is no brown power, white power or black power. In the gathered body all are one and all are equal in value and person-hood, for all are made in the image of God. Repent from calling your brother a child of Satan because of the racial heritage he unwillingly inherited! Repent from calling your brother a misogynist because he was unwillingly born a certain gender. Repent from looking down upon a sister because she was unwillingly born in a lower social class. Repent and be reconciled to one another for the Scriptures say, “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” (1 Jn. 3:10)

My Prayer

I am broken for the Church in America. The sin that is ravaging the body is overwhelming. The American Church needs to wake up. How can we prove to the world that we are the disciples of Christ if we cannot be one? Race divides us, gender divides us, social classes divide us. O God, please hear the cries of your servants that see this wickedness destroying your people. The voices of racial theorists, radical feminists, sexual revolutionaries and socially progressive liberals are infecting your people. I know that no plan can thwart your plan and you will accomplish all your purpose on this earth. I can see that America deserves your swift and just wrath, but Lord, grant mercy and compassion. Your people cry out to you in this wicked nation. Heal this land, revive this nation. Crush the sinful wicked hearts and establish your justice and peace on America through the preaching of the gospel. May the world see the church united as one under the banner of Christ. May the world see a people hand in hand, rejoicing in the presence of their savior, worshiping Jesus and enjoying the Triune God forever. Pour out your Spirit upon this nation, that he may convict of sin, righteousness and judgement. Empower us by your Spirit to boldly proclaim the truth of the gospel to every city, even in the face of persecution. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, please hear my prayer. Amen.

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
¹² Kiss the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 2:10-12