EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY

By Walt Scott

12/22/10

When I think of the word “equality”, I think of all people and their circumstances as being equal from birth to physical death. This is, however, impossible for believers or non-believers in this world. We are not all born into the same situations and are not gifted in the same ways. The same can be said of opportunity. Opportunity means favorable circumstances for advancement or progress. Some opportunities seem to just come to some people, while other people receive none. Some opportunities are created by a person’s effort or another person’s effort or influence. Bottom line, there is no equality of opportunity in the secular world.

Considering and understanding that there is no perfection among people and their governments or nations, we do strive to achieve a semblance of equality of opportunity in democratically elected governments around the world.

This is what the Declaration of Independence of the United States says about equality:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

The writers of the Declaration of Independence were guided by Christian principles and their intent is self-evident.

Galatians 6:1-10—Doing good to all (Paul)

Bear One Another's Burdens

¹Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

²Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

3For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

⁴But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

⁵For each one will bear his own load.

⁶The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.

⁷Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

⁸For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

⁹Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

¹⁰So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

The people of this world understand equality of opportunity as something that necessitated the passing of laws in hopes of achieving this goal, even though it is God’s and our Founding Fathers’ intent that we already possess this equality. This goal of equal opportunity in this world is never achieved because of self-centered greed, pride, envy and anger which are prevalent in our society today. This all translates to one word; “fear”. Fear of being no one, with nothing.

Christian people understand that there was only one who was perfect and without sin. This, of course, was our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, sent for our salvation by Father God. Jesus Christ offered equality of opportunity to all willing to follow Him and believe and have faith in Him and His teachings. This is the only truthful equality of opportunity available to us.

Colossians 3:23-25 and 4:2-6 Rules for Christian households (Paul & Timothy)

²³Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

²⁴knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

²⁵For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.

Christian Graces

² Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; ³ meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, ⁴ that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Philippians 4:4-13 Exhortations and thanks for their gifts (Paul & Timothy)

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

⁵Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

⁶Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

⁹The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

God's Provisions

¹⁰But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.

¹¹Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

¹² I know what it is to be humble or abased, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

¹³I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Psalms 96:10 and 98:9

¹⁰Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;
He will judge the peoples with equity."

98:9-- Before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth;
He will judge the world with righteousness
And the peoples with equity.

Isaiah 64:6

⁶For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;
And all of us wither like a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

It is irrelevant whether you are rich, poor, famous, intellectual, educated, prominent or just ordinary, common people. Doing multiple good works throughout your life doesn’t qualify you for eternal life. Only acknowledgement of who God and His Son Jesus Christ are, and submission and obedience to them will lead you down that narrow path and give you the joy and contentment that this world cannot.

We as Christian people—“followers of Jesus Christ”—need to be the light in the darkness of this world. Be the example of hope, truth, integrity and fairness for each other and for our non-Christian brothers and sisters. Do it with the joy of Jesus Christ in your heart, mind body and soul. We are forgiven and sanctified and this is available to all people. Our actions can help us all achieve God’s promises.

Genuine equality of opportunity is only available to Christian believers through God’s grace. We all have equal access to God’s blessing. All that is required is for us to step up and seize the opportunity. God will enable us when He calls us. We are also called to always help our brothers and sisters in their struggle with self-confidence in accepting God’s call to them.

Isaiah 11:1-5 The branch of Jesse.

Righteous Reign of the Branch

¹ Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse,
And a branch from his roots will bear fruit. ² The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him,
The spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The spirit of counsel and strength,
The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. ³ And He will delight in the fear of the LORD,
And He will not judge by what His eyes see,
Nor make a decision by what His ears hear; ⁴ But with righteousness He will judge the poor,
And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth;
And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,
And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. ⁵ Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins,
And faithfulness the belt about His waist.

God loves us all equally and His favor and grace is for all who believe and have faith in Him and His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus died and rose from the grave for us all, and is the open door to eternal life with Him and Father God. God is Love. Praise God often and thank Him for His greatest gift to us all.

Thank you Father God for sending us your Son Jesus Christ, and thank you, Jesus for your incredible sacrifice for us on the cross.

Amen.