In June 1998 was a pre-meeting arranged between church leaders to
participate in the Vision-NZ congress. A problem was raised due to lack
of cooperation between Maori congregation and the Pakeha one. And then
the discussion progressed to relationship among brother and sister in Christ,
which later on touching the sensitive issue of Waitangi Treaty.
The Beginning of Cultures.It is true that since the Tower of Babel, many nations had been evolved to various cultures and many languages. However we must not forget that the seed of rebellion against the Most High was carried along during the development of each culture.
Out of already 'contaminated' nations, from Semitic descendant God called out Abram who became Abraham, the father of many nations. God elected a specific nation out of his loin according to His promise to him which became Israel, the Jewish nation. As nation they have been entrusted with the very words of God. [Ro 3:2]
Three Companies With Whom God Deals.From heavenly point of view, there are now three division of human race on this planet earth. The Jews as God's chosen people, the Gentiles and the "Called Out Ones" (= Ekklesia) in which consist of Gentiles and Jews who became believer in Christ Jesus. This new human race was borne at the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). At first it comprised of Jewish believers only, which afterwards God also has granted the Gentiles repentance unto life.1Co 10:32 Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.
Failed to distinguish the three classes of human race, the Scripture become a 'closed book' in understanding unity, cultures and eschatology (the branch of theology that is concerned with such final things as death and judgment; heaven and hell; the end of the world).
As Abram is called out, so the church of God is the called out sinners
from the Jewish race, from every nation, kindred, tongue, people and become
a new creation.
In God's administration and economy there is no more Pakeha, Maori,
Asean, Pasific Islander. All who believed and received Jesus as their personal
Savior has been baptized into One Body. [1Co 12:13]
2 Cor 5:16-17 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once
regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (NIV)
There will always friction of cultural diversities and lack of understanding
when is seen from earthly view. Cultures are not free from the Babylonian
pollution. Some cultures were even corrupted by the influence of the power
of darkness.
Is it difficult ?
Is it too hard to bring people of different cultural background together?
Yes and No.
Yes, if we failed to grasp the status of believer in Christ;
Phil 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. NIV;and his/her position in Him;
Col 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on theright hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead,and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.No, provided the message of reconciliation is shared according to biblical priorities.
Mankind in the first Adam is under condemnation and without hope. Eph 2:12, Joh 3:18,36
1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die (the bad news), even so in Christ shall all be made alive (this is the good news).Reconciliation between cultures and ethnicity can only be achieved IN the last Adam. Not in
Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death (the bad news); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (the good news)
The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a
quickening spirit. 1 Cor 15:45
The bottom line is becoming a Christian is a matter of spiritual
birth and being a Christian is a matter of spiritual growth. What is born
of flesh is flesh and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
The proper perspective from which to "keep looking down".
Eph 1-3 treatise is the doctrine of unity and Eph 4-6 discourse is the
practical outliving of 'oneness' in the new life. Jesus' prayer in John
17 for the church was before the new human race came into being.
If we look carefully, the word IN
always precede the word ONE.
Hence the word IN is the master
key to open our spiritual eyes.
Therefore the message of reconciliation should always be;
2 Cor 5:20-21 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
The account of Re 7:9 is also seen from heavenly perspective.
Re 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;In order to enhance the 'mono' culture between churches;
Practical approach to cultivate unity.
Eph 1:3 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who had blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.'Thus cultural diversities among believer in Christ Jesus should be transformed into 'new' culture under the light of the Word of God. It should be less significance among brother and sister in the family of God as we maturing to be conformed to the image of his Son.
Conclusion.It is absolutely essential for the believer to learn the Scriptural difference between his relationship to earth and heaven, Law and Grace, the flesh and the Spirit, Sin and sins, the first Adam and the last Adam.