Uniqueness. Differences. Varying gifts and abilities.

We are not clones! God does not take His “cookie cutter” and mold us all the same. Besides our physical and racial differences, there are spiritual differences too. Yes, all of us have the same Holy Ghost. All of us receive the same justification. All of us are saved unto works (santification) and strive for holiness within and without. However, we are not all the same.

Some of you reading this blog are divinely gifted to teach children. The rest of us (me included) have a hard enough time with our own children.

Some of you reading this blog have been given the gift of musical ability. Others are gifted to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, but wouldn’t want to be asked to sing or play an instrument.

Others of us reading this blog (me included) are gifted as part of the five-fold ministry to equip the saints. The rest are happy they don’t have to worry about preaching/teaching every week.

The point is this: all of us are One-God-Apostolic-Jesus Name-Born Again Believers! All of us share the common goal of pleasing God. These and other things we all do. We don’t all have to be same to please God. So what of our differences?

Differences are not dividing points. Of the 9 gifts of the Spirit, they are categorized into three groups of three each, and then each of those are even singular in purpose. However, they all accomplish one goal = edifying the Body of Christ. There are many members, but each member serves to create ONE body! Instead of having a right foot, left foot, right hand and left hand that you had four right hands. Oh, we might as well imagine that your two ears are also two right hands. If any of you have a vivid imagination, you are wondering if I had too much pizza last night (LOL). You see, we understand the importance of having the different members to make up one physical body; the same is true with the spiritual.

The US Army is currently using the slogan, “An Army of One.” This does not mean that there is literally one person doing all the fighting/protecting. Nor does it mean that there is only one grouping of fighters. There are helicopter pilots, tank drivers, plattoon sergeants, company commanders, snipers, infantry, etc. and so forth. However, each of them performing their duties faithfully and consistently create an Army of One!

Rather than point out our differences, let’s celebrate the fact, and unite as an army of one. The prayer that starts our “Our Father, who art in heaven” is commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer.” And while it is a beautiful model of how to pray, the real Lord’s Prayer is found in John 17. Here Jesus prayed that we would all be ONE! Jesus understood differences. He called fishermen, tax collectors and scholars to be His disciples. The Bible is full of people with vast differences, yet they are men or women of faith (read Hebrews 11).

Unity is not union nor is it uniformity! A marriage is a union, but we all know that many times there is not unity in that marriage. Uniformity CAN be at times good; however, we are not “clones.” Unity realizes the differences of all, yet brings us together in the common goal of fulfilling the Great Commision = Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature!

Spend time praying today and thank God for the gifts He has given you. Thank God for those you worship with and the gifts God has given them. Let’s unite together, using our God-given talents for the kingdom of God. Remember, we are not to compare for that is unwise. We are to be thankful for what we have and celebrate the gifts of others.