‎In Christ There Is No East or West

1. In Christ there is no east or west,
in Him no south or north.
But one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.

2. In Christ shall true hearts everywhere
their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord
close binding humankind.

‎3. Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate’er your race may be!
Who serves my father as His child
is surely kin to me.

‎4. In Christ now meet both East and West,
in Him meet south and north.
All Christly souls are one in Him,
throughout the whole wide earth.

By John Oxenham

• Secular thinkers and adherents of other faiths often accuse Christians of being insular and self-absorbed. In what way does this hymn refute that argument? Can you think of two or three Bible verses that speak to Christ’s love for all people?
• Secular thinkers use the phrase “give back” or the phrase “make a difference” to characterize activity that Christians think of as service in obedience to the love of Christ at work in their hearts. What is the difference between “giving back” to the culture and acting out of Christ’s love? Who “makes a difference” in things when a Christian serves God and people for Jesus’ sake?
• The word “racist” is being used indiscriminately in public discourse as an appellation for anyone the speaker disagrees with. The author of this hymn could not be categorized as a “racist” by any known definition. Why?
• Are you aware of any organization which works in a global context to achieve the goal of verse 3? Be sure that the qualification “serves my father” is part of the description of the organization. Some Christians confuse government programs and secular charity with Christ’s work. They are not the same thing. How do you participate in this ministry? Why is this ministry good for people all over the world?