Impartiality

“And if a stranger sojourns among you and would keep the Passover to the Lord, according to the statute of the Passover and according to its rule, so shall he do. You shall have one statute, both for the sojourner and for the native.” (Numbers 9:14, ESV)

In today’s world, there are many things that divide people. It may be social status, economic status, culture, ethnicity, etc. These differences often result in divisions and often preclude certain people from joining in groups or organizations. This is not the way of God. To join in fellowship with God’s people there is only one standard. It is that of faith. The church is a unique body of people joined as one by faith in Jesus Christ alone for justification. We see this one standard here in the book of Numbers.

There was a provision for the sojourners, the Gentiles, to come into the community of Israel through conversion. When they came in, the same rules applied to them as one of those born a natural descendant into the community. They had the privilege of participating in the Passover feast and also had the same requirements for participation as the native born Israelite.

In the church today, we see a very diverse group of people. Christ has united the diverse group of believers into one body.

” For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)

As such, there is no room for division in the church. People come from varied economic and social backgrounds. They come from various parts of the country and world. While there are many differences between believers, all carry a common title as “Christian,” and all are entitled the same privilege of fellowship.

We must remember that this equal privilege of fellowship, carries with it equal responsibility. We are to consider all believers more highly than ourselves. We are to hold to sound doctrine. We are to endeavor to live by the Spirit. We are to work to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

In short, as a member of the body of Christ, we all are to enjoy the fellowship and also work to maintain the blessing of the fellowship. This takes some effort. Each believer must endeavor live a Spirit filled life and endeavor to break down the barriers that historically have divided people.