No two Christians are precisely the same; no two people on the face of the earth or whom God has made are, for that matter, either. Even those identical twins with genetics the same are still different as well as having different experiences, and end up with different perspectives, even if quite similar.
I've been told I read too much by other Christians, some of them reading very little. Do I think reading is a good thing? And do I think more people should read, and that perhaps most everyone should read more than they do? Yes, to all of that.
But do I think everyone should read the same things, have the same interests, and want to read (I'm a "wannabe reader") as much as I want to. No, not at all. In fact the world would be a boring place if everyone was like me, and just like me on this. We need good variations to just begin to try to scratch the surface of all of God's works and of all that pertains to God's world.
When Paul suggested that people should be like him, he was suggesting that to be so in accordance with who they are. I'm never expected by God to be anyone other than who I am as he created me, and now is remaking me in the image of Jesus. Therefore I can enjoy immensely the good gifts of others without feeling in the least bit threatened. Why? Because God has given to each and everyone of us good gifts for the benefit of others. And ending up blessing us, as well.
So we need to relax, and just be who we are. And accept others as they are. With the one proviso that we continue to grow and become who we are meant to be, and who we are in Jesus. Together doing so, each a unique expression from God of Christ himself.
What might you like to add to this?
Derived in part from this book, Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in One Another, by Rowan Williams.
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8 comments:
I really appreciate these wise words Ted. Discipleship is something God desires for each and everyone of us - although it might look different for each specific person.
The problem I think many Christians/churches have is attempting to make converts into clones. That's something Christ never intended.
Thanks!
I think God does use our differences to become a beautiful master piece that he calls the Church. Yes we are different races, have different backgrounds, different opinions. He uses this for the good of the church. I do think he wants believers to be the same in what Paul mentions in Philippians 2:1-ff "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by beling like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should not only look to your own interests, but aso the interest of others."
relax...i like that.
be who i am ment to be, in Jesus.
that is pretty nice to hear.
thanks.
we can only do so much ever since the tower of babel.
our differneces, apart from each being unique, are set in place for a reason...our unity must be in God.
Crowm, Yes, and it's subtle the way it's done, I think I've seen. And how we're caught up into it. Thanks!
Kinney, Amen. So wonderful the variety God has made and his remaking of all of us, in Jesus. One new humanity, but rich in diversity. Thanks.
Nancy, Great point about Babel. Is amazing though what God does let humankind accomplish. And our world is becoming more and more a one world, like Babel in that way, anyhow. And thanks for what else you added.
This is a book which helped me see this truth about no cloning of Christians.
Your post reminds me of a recent lesson I had on respecting diversity of certain beliefs to promote unity within the Body of Christ.
The Walk,
Yes. And there can be an important point of truth brought out in those differences between us, as a witness for the whole of the church. Good for us to listen and respect and find such, even when we diverge from that belief ourselves.
Also, The Walk, Good to hear from you! And thanks.
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