Every tribe and tongue and people and nation

And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, - Revelation 5v9

I love a lot about the ministry where God has placed us. One of the things I love the most is the diversity of the people we are privileged to serve alongside. At the moment we have people from Ireland, the US, the Philippines, South Africa, Nigeria, Iceland, and New Zealand attending our church. We have had Brazilians, Rhodesians, Germans, British, Koreans, Polish, and many others worship with us in the past. I have also had the opportunity to minister in a church in Hungary at a missions conference.

This has allowed us to get just a glimpse of the truth in the Throne Room Chorus mentioned in this verse – ‘Every tribe and tongue and people and nation.’ One of the things I like is finding the diversity in unity that we find amongst believers. Last night I was given a ‘dress shirt’ from Nigeria which I plan on wearing when I preach Sunday. I often wear a Filipino dress shirt as well. If we are not careful we can get the impression that the body of Christ is all about a bunch of white people with the guys in coats and ties and the women in Sunday dresses.

There is so much more to the body of the redeemed than that. This body meets in fancy church buildings, private homes, hired halls, thatched buildings, in the open, and stuffed in a squalid rooms hidden from authorities. We sing very proper high church hymns, gospel songs, modern songs, and even songs that resemble tribal chants to the glory of our redeemer. We are every skin colour under the sun. We speak hundreds of different languages. We worship in a formal and an informal manner. Some of us strand straight and tall and would not think of moving a muscle. Others raise their hands and clap in praise. And yes, anathema to many, some even dance in praise to our Redeemer.

Our skin colour, way of dress, style of music, and forms of church service differ. Our languages are myriad. Our customs and practice are not the same. Why is that?

God has redeemed people of every tribe and tongue and people and nation by the blood of Christ.

Praise Him for the redeemed. Maybe we should start practising for the eternity we are going to share together instead of squabbling over our differences.