After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; Revelation 7:9
Our country has been built on the back of a diversity of people groups. As a result, Australia prides itself in its cultural and ethnic diversity. Our politicians often boast of the strength this mix of original Australians with all the different people groups, who now call Australia, home, brings. But no matter what positive vibes our leaders give off, this valuable asset of diversity is still increasingly problematic to our government, and our social climate.
So how do we as Christians handle this? I hope we look at this cultural and ethnic mix as being God’s design and a wonderful opportunity to glorify Him in a way that we could never do so otherwise. After all, who created us and providentially arranged the formation and nurture of our ethnic roots? Who gave us our different skin colors? Such diversity and yet this very diversity is what the Lord has designed to bring Him great glory. I really like how Phillip Graham in his book; Is Jesus the Only Way? said this, The family of God is ethnically and culturally diverse. As Christians we not only permit such diversity, but we cherish it. This is because God Himself cherishes ethnic diversity. He is not color-blind; He is colorful. At His throne God welcomes worshipers “from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Rev. 7:9). His plan of redemption is for the peoples of the world in all their rich variety. [Grace Quotes]
I often think of this coming day when cultural & ethnic diversity will be so welded together in Christ, that we will be ‘one’ like never before. But if the will of God is to be done “on earth as it is in Heaven” surely this ‘oneness’ needs and should be seen happening in the in the local church now – right?
May we never be so caught up in the atrocities, bigotry, racism and hatred that is such a stain on our country, that we allow one speck of that to flow over into our relationship with one another in the church and toward our fellow man on the street. We are called to love our enemies and to do good to all people but “especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Gal. 6:10