“Agape is disinterested love. It is love in which the individual seeks not his own good but the good of his neighbor (1 Cor. 10:24). Agape does not begin by discriminating between worthy and unworthy people, or any qualities people possess. It begins by loving others for their sakes. It is an entirely “neighbor-regarding concern for others,” which discovers the neighbor in every person it meets.” – Martin Luther King, Jr., “An Experiment in Love”
Early Christians struggled to find a way to have a single church comprised of members from various backgrounds worshiping together, worshiping as one. Early church fights were about coming together across differences and finding a new identity that transcended the old identities that separated people into different races, classes, ethnicities, and privileged groups, promising new arrangements in Christ instead. Christ was seen as the chief reconciling agent of humanity, bringing people not only back together with God but of necessity also to each other, for, as the author of 1 John 4:20 notes, “those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.”
Have we lost this core Christian value? Have we instead become crimson-colored “social clubs,” afraid to lead in transforming the world? Or worse, in light of the changes taking place in the larger society, is the church the principal agency perpetuating the status quo?
The commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31) is foundational. This call to love is not restricted by the color of one’s skin or the heritage one claims. Instead, it is an invitation to see the divine in every individual, recognizing that every person is created in the image of God.
Despite the clear teachings of inclusivity, history and contemporary culture show that differences, racial or ethnic, are a source of division within faith communities. Therefore, it is essential for individuals of faith to actively work toward breaking down these barriers. This begins with introspection and a willingness to confront personal biases.
The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) in the Christian tradition is a powerful illustration of this principle. The Samaritan, a group member looked down upon by the Jews of his time, becomes the hero who exemplifies true neighborly love. This narrative challenges believers to look beyond societal prejudices and extend compassion and help to all, regardless of race or ethnicity.
Many religious traditions offer a vision of a future where unity and peace prevail. For us, the book of Revelation describes a multitude “from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). This prophetic vision calls believers to work towards a world in the here and now, that reflects this heavenly diversity and unity the Bible names as our present and future truth.
Will we recover our core values as the body of Christ, or have they been set aside out of fear or for personal convenience?
