Introduction
There are two English words that we bandy about: equality and equity. Equality and equity may sound similar; however, the meanings of these two words is completely different.
Equality: Everyone has the same opportunity. Spiritually speaking, equality would mean that everybody has to do the same things in order to end up in heaven.
Equity: Everyone has the same outcome. Spiritually speaking, equity would mean that everyone will end up in heaven; or everybody will end up in hell.
Here is what Scripture says about equality and equity as far as spiritual issues are concerned.
Equality
Equality means that we all have the same opportunity. Scripturally, this would mean that, in order to go to heaven, each individual would have to do the same thing as any other individual. See my page on how to go to heaven.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:14-16)[1]
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28)
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:10-11)
Conclusion on Equality
From these passages, Scripture clearly teaches equality. In other words, it does not matter if you are male, female, white, black, brown, yellow, red, polka dot, or whatever; you have the same opportunity to go to heaven as anyone else. See also the page on How to Go to Heaven.
Equity
Equity means that everyone has the same outcome. Scripturally, equity would mean universalism: either everyone will make it to heaven; or everybody will end up in hell.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18)
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)
The Sheep and the Goats
Separating the Sheep and the Goats
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (Matthew 25:31-33)
The Sheep
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:34-40)
The Goats
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:31-46)
Conclusion on Equity
Some people will end up in heaven, and some people will end up in hell. Scripture clearly does not teach equity.
Conclusion about Equality and Equity
All individuals who wish to go to heaven must do the same thing; therefore, Scripture teaches equality.
Some people will end up in heaven, while others will end up in hell; therefore, Scripture does not teach equity.
Footnotes
[1] All scripture references are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. Please see my about page for why I chose this translation.