Let’s take a moment to understand what the word “equality” means.  Equality is defined as “the state of being equal, especially in status, rights and opportunities.”  This definition is further extended by stating that equality refers to all people who are treated fairly and are given the same opportunities.  Equality, diversity and justice are the guiding principles of a society that recognizes that everyone has a right to parity.  

Romans 2:11 states,  “For God does not show favoritism.”  In God’s eyes we are all equal.  Perhaps that is what we all strive for, to be equal and not judged as anything less.  When I was young, I learned a sweet song about love and equality in Sunday School, it went like this, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red, brown, yellow, black and white there are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.”  There are no caveats on Jesus’ love for others,  and we shouldn’t have any either.  We are commanded to love one another, there are no exceptions to this and yet we seem to want to put our own limitations on our love for others.  This is where we hunger for equality as believers in Jesus Christ.  We must love all God’s people, we may not always agree with everyone, but we are called to love.  (John 13: 34-35)

Galatians 3:28 gives us another glimpse into how God sees us, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  The beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that everyone is worthy, everyone is important and everyone is equal, there is no discrimination.  That is what we hunger for the most.  We want to be seen as an equal.  My race, my skin color, my sexual orientation, my social status,  my physical limitations, etc., those traits, characteristics or any other defining elements should not be a factor in equality.  We hunger for equal acceptance.  

Again in Acts 10:34 it is said that, “… I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism…”   This is an important theme throughout the New Testament, God does not show favoritism, …”but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”  (Acts 10:35).  We are all equal in his eyes, if we choose to do what is right and true.  So what is the right thing to do, James clearly states what we are to do, “…Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing right.”  He goes on to say that, “…if you show favoritism, you sin, and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”  Our goal then is to show love and mercy, “Mercy triumphs over judgement!”  (James 2: 8-13)  In the end, we are all equal in the eyes of God, He created it that way from the very beginning of time.