Celebrate Difference and Unity

Celebrate Difference and Unity

As secular ideas, devoid of a focus on Jesus Christ, of what is meant by diversity and social justice continue to shape the dialog I fear that we will never achieve true social justice of all people.  We allow secular ideas and feelings to shape the debate rather than turning to Scripture for insight.  The secular plans are tricks by the enemy that will keep divisions among people.  We fail to remember that God knows better than we do.  We forget that creation still continues and that He has a plan.  But when we turn from God and His plans we fail to achieve the plan he has set in motion in creation.  We must allow God to continue to develop us to be the person (people) He needs for us to do what is in His will for the future.  We need to learn how to trust God. Christ calls us to have unity AND diversity in one body.

1 Corinthians 12: 12-31(NIV)

12Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? 31Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

We are all given different gifts from God to perform His work and live in His will.  God’s plan is that we have, embrace, respect, and celebrate the diversity of humanity.

Romans 12: 6-8 (NIV)

6We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

The message He came to share is that ALL people can come to Him.  Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28 (NIV).  Jesus continued that His message is for all by saying, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (NIV).  His message was not these and not those, some who do this and not those who do that.  His message was that ALL shall be in the Body of Christ. 

We have a mess in our society because we have not obeyed God and so many continue to choose to turn away from God and His word.  So many people continue to try to strip God from every aspect of our society.  Even today a friend had posted on Facebook a story of an elementary school on Long Island who in order to sing “Silent Night” the school winter concert needed to “politically correct” the lyrics of the song.  What?  How do we make Jesus politically correct? The song is based on the birth of Jesus Christ.  This social mess is a continued growth out of entitlement, irresponsibility, lack of accountability, and feelings of being offended. 

As believers in Christ and the Word we do not show to the world anything about Jesus if we lower ourselves to hateful speech and rhetoric when it comes to the differences found in humanity and disrespecting His creation.  We are all made in His image and if we believe God is perfect then we must respect each member of His creation.  Jesus told us to love one another.  It is therefore sinful to hate others who do measure up to our own interpretation of what is right.  We have been told that to hate another is to have murdered them in our heart.  God takes it very personally when you mistreat another person or people.

On the flip side of the dialog is the area of self-pity and playing the victim.  Self-pity is the most worthless emotion.  Self-pity is akin to idolatry.   So many who continue to feel sorry for themselves miss so much about God’s unconditional love and build bitterness for other people rather than relationships.  Stop blaming others, stop feeling sorry for yourself.  Stop being offended.  Start looking for open doors.  Start looking for opportunities.

Joy can only be found in Him.  Joy cannot be found in things of the world.  Trying to use the things of the world in place of His love will fall short of the goal.  We will accomplish more when we celebrate the diversity of God’s creation.  Each person in creation’s story has a role to play in the Body of Christ.  Each member is equally important to completing God’s will… but not identical.  All are necessary.  We are not capable of improving God’s plan.  It is not for us to ever judge the value or worth of a fellow person.  We have to live in His will and abide by His plan for us and for all.  We cannot have social justice apart from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Remember that you are a chosen child of God.  Know who you are in Christ.

In prayer:

Most merciful God, pour out on us Your one and unifying Holy Spirit.  You made all of us in Your perfect image and redeemed us through Your only son, Jesus Christ.  Lead us from self-pity to hope, from fear to trust.  We ask for Your Spirit to move throughout our communities and nation that it may move every heart.  We ask that every barrier dividing humanity is made to crumble and hatred cease.  We declare Lord that with divisions healed that we will leave in peace, unity, and justice.  Strengthen the resolve of all who seek equality and justice for all.  We come to You Lord seeking freedom from the bondage of inequality, oppression, and hatred.  We recognize that in creation you created a wonderful diversity of people, cultures, and language.  Free us from prejudice and fear.  Those who feel that Your message is not for them, move Your Spirit through the lives so that each person will come to know You and that through You all people have a part to play in creation’s story.  We pray this through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.  Amen.