The Bible seems pretty clear about this question. We can read for ourselves the answer. The real question is: Do we accept the answer? The world doesn’t see the difference at times. Sadly, there are some within the church who can’t tell the difference either.
Let me start with a scripture. Galatians 6:10 reads, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Can we not see a subtle difference? We are to prefer one another. Why? Because our Savior sees a difference!
In Matthew 12:47‐50, we read, “Then one said to Him, ‘Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.’ But He answered and said to the one who told Him, ‘Who is My mother and who are My brothers?’ And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.’” Jesus is plain, isn’t He? How about this one? “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
Back to the question that makes our title, DO NON‐CHRISTIANS AND CHRISTIANS STAND ON EQUAL FOOTING WITH GOD? Yes and no. Yes, if you are asking about the love of God. He loves all people (John 3:16). No, if you are speaking of salvation and being an eternal heir. The bottom line is this: If you can know you are saved (and you can know [1John 5:13]), then you can also know what saves or doesn’t save others. If not, how do you know who to evangelize? The very act of sharing the gospel with someone is to admit you believe they need to hear it. When we can’t tell the difference between the world and Christians, we must be closer to the world than we would care to admit!
Am I putting myself in the position of God when I know that someone needs the gospel? How about the need to repent? To be baptized? No, because God has already told us about these things so that we may discern between those who are Christians and those who need to become Christians. If a person refuses to comply with God’s commands, are we to accept them as blood‐washed brothers and sisters in Christ? Are we to see them as something different than God sees them? Brethren, I hope we study and understand this subject as so much depends on it.
Chris Moore
Clarendon church of Christ
Clarendon, TX