An Equal Opportunity Savior and Redeemer

There’s much talk these days about equality and equity. In the minds of some, the two words are interchangeable. However, most people would agree they are different terms. Opinions vary, but here’s my take: Equality is the effort to offer equal access and opportunity. Equity, on the other hand, typically focuses more on equality of outcomes or results.

 

There’s the story of the college professor who announced a major exam well in advance. He administered the test two weeks later. Each student had the same opportunity to study. Some did so, diligently. Others barely studied their notes or cracked the textbook, if at all. They apparently felt they had more important things to do.

 

Predictably, when results from the exam were tabulated, the students who had studied and prepared for it scored well. Those who failed to prepare did poorly; some failed. That, the professor pointed out, was an example of equality. They all had equal opportunity – only some took advantage of it.

 

But he didn’t leave it at that. He then announced, in the name of ‘fairness,’ he was going to add all the exam scores together, divide that total by the number of students, and then assign everyone the average score. That, he said, demonstrated equity.

 

“Not fair!” complained the students who had worked hard and knew they deserved their A’s. Why should they be penalized because of those who chose not to study and prepare themselves for the exam?

 

Perhaps the best example of the difference between equality and equity is found in Jesus Christ. In fact, we might correctly call Him an “equal opportunity Savior and Redeemer.”

 

One of the best-known verses in the entire Bible is John 3:16, in which Jesus declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is an open opportunity, available to all who will believe – that is, place their faith and trust in Christ.

 

Elsewhere the apostle Peter stated, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Doesn’t this sound like equality?

 

However, the Bible does not teach equity – at least as it’s currently being perceived – regarding a saving, eternal relationship with Christ. For instance, we read in Matthew 7:21 that Jesus declared, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

 

Another passage asserts, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10,16). A response on our part is required. The gift of salvation and eternal life God offers must be received.

 

The Scriptures also teach equality as it relates to ethnic and cultural differences. In God’s point of view, all are equally valued and accepted.

 

Years ago, I was meeting with Rhon, a young African-American man, in a discipling relationship. One afternoon he looked at me and asked, “Bob, if Jesus were to stand in front of me, would he see me as a black man?” I responded with two verses that applied directly to his question.

 

In 1 Samuel 16:7, as the prophet Samuel was seeking to identify the successor to King Saul of Israel, God told him, “for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I assured Rhon that what Jesus would see foremost was a man whose heart was being drawn to Him.

 

The other passage related to differences of culture, ethnicity, and status. As the apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 3:26, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” He doesn’t make the external distinctions that we typically make.

 

The truth that Jesus is an equal opportunity Savior and Redeemer is communicated in many other passages. One in particular tells of the apostle Peter coming to the realization that Jesus was the Messiah not just for the Jews but for all people. In Acts 10:34 we read, “Opening his mouth, Peter said: ‘I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.’”

This is the truly Good News that, “He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15). Male or female, black or white, rich or poor, corporate executive or janitor, all are equal in the sight of God.