Living among other cultures was a much-needed training ground for me. As an American evangelical Christian, my engrained assumptions regarding my faith were turned on their head when I moved overseas. One of the most eye-opening revelations was the incredible diversity of the international Christian church and the strength it reflected in the body of Christ. My interaction with Christians from other cultures encouraged my spiritual growth and increased my appreciation for the believing world. 

Paul writes to the church in Colossae to mitigate the influence of pre-Gnostic false teachers. Their teachings emphasized Old Testament law, higher knowledge, worshipping angels, hierarchy, and finally, questioning the deity of Christ. These teachings threatened to divide the Colossian church and dilute the message of unity in the body of Christ. That is why Paul stresses that there are no racial, religious, cultural, or social barriers for those who are part of the body of Christ. His statement in verse 11 is about as inclusive as one can get when he says, “Christ is all, and in all.” 

Paul’s message to the Colossians has not lost its relevance. The dangers of the disunity that Paul describes are still a temptation for the church and us as individuals. This passage is an excellent reminder that our identity in Christ is the great equalizer. We become one, one part of the whole body of Christ. Who we are, where we come from, and how we got there loses its importance. Our shared faith enables us to love and live without bias toward our fellow brothers and sisters and to share Christ’s message with the unbelieving world. 

As you minister alongside believers significantly different from you on the outside, remember the true identity you share on the inside. Together you are one in the body of Christ.

“Be united with other Christians. A wall with loose bricks is not good. The bricks must be cemented together.”- Corrie Ten Boom