Genesis 37 — Thoughts

Do We Play Favorites?

Of the many themes in the Book of Genesis, there's one that's impossible to miss: favoritism.

First, Isaac favored Esau, and Rebekah favored Jacob. Then, Jacob favored Rachel over Leah. And finally, Jacob favored Joseph over all of his brothers. In every case, playing favorites caused jealousy, drama, and heartache.

I suppose this theme is a good reminder to parents to not play favorites with their kids. But there's actually another context in which Christians are more likely to play favorites.

Jesus prayed for His Church to be unified: "that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity" (John 17:22-23).

But do we see this unity in the Church today?

Don't get me wrong — diversity in the Church is a positive thing. Churches that operate within different languages, cultures, traditions, and denominations are able to meet the unique needs of believers in their own unique ways. Additionally, each can share the message of the Gospel with non-believers in ways that others can't. In a way, churches can have as many different personalities as the people within them, and that means there's a place for everyone.

But there are also times when our differences become divisions. Accusations of heresy get thrown around in response to style, practice, and secondary theological issues. And Sunday morning is still the most racially segregated time in the United States.

So we must never forget this truth: As long as another person believes the core tenants of Christianity — the Bible is the Word of God, Jesus is God, Jesus died for our sins and was raised again, and we are saved by grace through faith in Him — then there is nothing to stop us from worshipping together, sharing in fellowship and ministry together, and befriending one another.

If we can do this, if we can show unity across our diversity, then we can show a picture of the Kingdom of God to a world that desperately needs to know the Gospel message that unites us. Anything less is playing favorites.

(Originally written August 22, 2020)