Philemon 16, 17 “He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.” (NLT)

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O Holy Night is one of the most beautiful songs of Christmas. It includes these words:

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name, all oppression shall cease.
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Where in the world did this idea come from? The Bible verses above provide context. A runaway slave ran smack dab into the Apostle Paul in jail. Paul sent him back to his master with words of gospel guidance. 

“He is no longer like a slave to you.
He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me.
Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.”

Ephesians 2:14 tells us more about this idea:

“For Christ himself has brought peace to us.
He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.”

Walls of separation between people groups are broken down when the grace of God draws them together. The ground is truly level at the foot of the cross. 

This small idea has explosive implications. 

One guy said it this way: “God loves everyone just like he loves me.” This reality dawns more slowly on some than others. Some still haven’t figured it out. God loves everybody regardless of skin color, language, or people group. No people group or skin tone is more loved by God than another. God loves everyone someone considers inferior just as much as he loves those who consider themselves superior. 

There is no room for ______ supremacy. (Fill in the blank with any group you like.)

The supremacy is all God’s. His love supreme welcomes everyone. He doesn’t want anyone left out of his Kingdom. He even welcomes people like the atheist who wrote this song. He is relentlessly drawing everyone to himself, even people we don’t like. 

We can’t be like Jesus if we don’t love like Jesus. Love ‘em all. 

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I will learn to live and love like Jesus. 

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Our Father, forgive me for the residue of supremacy that lingers anywhere in my heart. Please erase it and replace it with your love that is bigger than any boundary I could erect or wall I could build. Empower me to live and love like you. Thank you for your great love that includes even me. Amen.