Saved by grace, not by race

I have just returned home from a missions conference in Constanta on the Black Sea, where I was invited to speak on “Gen Z and the exclusivity of Jesus.” 

Hundreds of people attended from across Europe, Asia, Africa and even South America, yet we met together as one, to worship the same Father in Heaven. We had a beautiful time together.

As I was addressing a packed auditorium of every tribe and nation, I thought to myself: “How much money is spent each year by governments and corporations to achieve the same diversity of workforce that I see before me?”

In the financial year 2022-23, UK councils spent almost £52m on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (DEI) roles. In the same year, the NHS spent £13m across 123 trusts and £28m was spent by our universities - all to achieve what we naturally have in the gospel. 

Unity in Christ

As Christians, we believe in the inherent worth of every individual regardless of culture or ethnicity; all are created in God’s image. Our triune God celebrates both unity and diversity.

He is a missional God who sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to redeem humanity regardless of their race. Jesus’ left hand was not pierced only for those with white skin, and His right hand only for those with black skin - Jesus’ blood was shed for all, every tribe and nation. Salvation is a gift from God, not something earned through ethnicity. We are saved by grace, not by race. 

This is a reality I see each Sunday at my home church in the Welsh valleys. Landlocked up a mountain in ‘white’ rural Wales, with little passing trade, we welcome people into our congregation from Spain, Romania, Estonia, Cyprus, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Peru. The few migrants we have in our area all come to our church, where there is no stigma or division, just a heartfelt welcome.

United in Christ, our differences can be celebrated. Each Sunday as we gather together we have a taste of Heaven as described in Revelation 7:9 “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

DEI in the UK has a legal framework built upon the Equality Act 2010, and there are a number of helpful strategies for which you can pay handsomely to assist integration in the workplace and to stop prejudice. These are all are very helpful and worthwhile. We can also share the gospel that, by nature, promotes a successful, diverse and tolerant community - the church.