Palestinian or Jew - what`s the difference? from our correspondent Jamal Saba

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By abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the TWO in to ONE NEW MAN, thus establishing PEACE, and might RECONCILE them BOTH in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity." (Eph 2:15-16)

Growing up in the in the midst of the "longest conflict in the Middle East" has made me see what hatred and bitterness can do to a human heart. The Israelis and the Palestinians have antipathy toward each other. Both parties have learned to hate each other. No peace in their heart and in their land as well. Ephesians 2:14 says that Jesus is "our peace," and I totally believe that Jesus is the only One who can bring peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

I have been a Christian for about six years and in these past six years I have heard many false teachings about God. One of these false teachings is that God shows favoritism. You might say, "no, nobody teaches such a thing, it is totally unbiblical to teach such a thing," but the truth is that many do and many do not realize it. Let me expound what I mean; many say that the Israelis (present day Israeli citizens) are God's People and God is totally and absolutely standing with them against other peoples and nations. Have you heard this before? That's what I call false teaching because God does not show favoritism, and favoritism is not one of the attributes of our God of love.

Many others say that the Israelis need to kick the Palestinians out of the Land because the Holy Land belongs to the Israelis alone and God has given it to them. Where is the Love of Christ in all that? I do not see it at all! I do not deny that God gave the Land to the Israelites but that was the Old Covenant, but after Christ came, the old was cancelled." When He said a new covenant, He made the first OBSOLETE, but whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to DISAPPEAR." (Hebrews 8:13). Please, read the whole chapter. My friend once said to me "we have to reject any theology or any teaching that distort the image of God." That is utterly right and down to the point because this teaching distorts the image of God as a God of love.

What is the difference between Mr. Arafat, the Palestinian President, and the Israeli Prime Minister Sharon? One is a Palestinian Arab and the other is an Israeli Jew; this is the external description for them but there is more to it than that. Arafat is not a Christian and Sharon is not a Christian as well. Both are not cleansed by the Blood of Lamb; both are not part of the "Household of God"; both are not reconciled to God through Christ Jesus; and both are going to Hell if they do not receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Therefore, what is the difference between Arafat, the Palestinian Arab, and the Israeli Prime Minister Sharon who is an Israeli Jew?

The answer is there is absolutely no difference between them in the sight of God because God does not show favoritism "There will be tribulation and distress for EVERY soul of man who does evil, of the JEW FIRST and also of the GREEK." (Romans 2:9). As you see in this verse, and it is clearly stated, God will punish any people who do not receive Christ as their Savior, whether he is a Jew or a Palestinian. But we see today that many Christians show favor to the one party and leave the other out of the plan of God as they were the judges and not God. "Judge not so that you will not be judged."

We hear people say that Palestinians are terrorists and they are the ones who should be punished. I even once was told by a Christian sister that the Palestinians are the ones who occupy the land and not the Israelis, and she told me, her Christian brother, to leave the land because it does not belong to me; WOW! That totally shocked me and saddened my inmost parts.

To see my Christian brothers and sisters showing favoritism based on their own judgment and the false teaching they have been hearing saddens me and saddens the heart of God as well. The Bible teaches that "all have sinned and came short of the glory of God," therefore who are we to say that some are more favored to God than others? I am a Palestinian but also I am a Christian and that what matters to me. Being a Palestinian or an Israeli makes no difference; therefore what I say I say as a Christian and not as a Palestinian; God is my witness!

As Christians we need to bring people to the understanding of the reconciliation of God and show them that Jesus is the only One who can bring real peace to both parties, Israelis and Palestinians. And we need to utterly reject any teaching, philosophy, and human reason that distort the image of a Just and a Loving God who loves all people the same, and does not show favors to one and leave the other out of His plan of Salvation.