To the Victor Go the Spoils
Friday, May 26, 2023
“The thief upon the cross was justified the moment that he turned the eye of faith to Jesus; and Paul, at the end of his life, after years of service, was not more justified than the thief who had no service at all.” – C.H. Spurgeon
One of the educational battles that is currently being fought in school districts throughout the United States is over DIE policies. Liberals fully embrace the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity agenda whereas conservatives strongly object to some of its main tenets.
Part of the confrontation – and the confusion – stems from different interpretations of the terms being used. For instance, equality means equal opportunities being afforded and equal resources being allocated to everyone, whereas equity stresses equal outcomes.
I support equality but oppose equity for two simple reasons. First, mandating equal outcomes disincentivizes hard work. After all, if the student that studied hard and aced a test is given the same grade as the student who slept through class and never cracked a book, that is unfair. It is also unbiblical, which is my second (and main) reason for opposing equity as an educational policy.
Yes, as Charles Spurgeon pointed out in today’s quote, both the thief on the cross and the Apostle Paul were equally and warmly welcomed home to heaven when they died because they had both placed their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, Scripture is very clear that once we pass through the pearly gates, believers are given different rewards based on their earthly faithfulness.
When we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, Jesus will review our earthly service to Him and then award each believer up to five different crowns. They are the Victor’s Crown (I Corinthians 9:24-27); the Crown of Rejoicing (I Thessalonians 2:19); the Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8); the Crown of Life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10); and the Crown of Glory (I Peter 5:4). There may be some other rewards distributed as well, but it is crystal clear that not everyone will be treated the same.
Welcomed home equally? Absolutely! Rewarded equally? Not on your life!
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” I Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
