Lost Crusader #138 Same Difference

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”

1Corinthians 12:4-7

The world outside the Church strives for homogeneous thoughts, words, and deeds in the name of diversity. Christianity, as one body and one Spirit, strives for true diversity in the name of unity. No wonder this diversity in practice is confusing to those on the outside looking in.

No sane disciple of Christ believes their way is the absolute correct and sole way of doing and understanding the things of God. You may quote me. Sane and disciple are the operative words and do not preclude the existence of the egomaniacal or the developmentally challenged who claim Christianity.

Diverse gifts, different callings, many multiples of activities, there is room for all of these in the Divine life shared by Christ with those who love Him. We pass through death to God, but not to become lost like a drop entering the sea. Our individuality, our gifts, and our talents find their full bloom in the God-life. We will never be more ourselves than when we drop this mortal body and don an eternal one.

When one rises above the toddler-class Sunday School lessons of heaven, and into the maturity of an exercised spiritual union with Christ, it becomes evident that this life is more than a warmup, it is part and parcel of the life to come. If you do not enjoy life in Christ here and now, you will not suddenly find that joy by dying.

Can you sing? Sing! Do you teach? Teach! Take whatever God has given you (and He has given you gifts; you were born with them) and run with it. When the scripture admonishes Christians to “speak the same thing in love” it does not mean to mouth the same words, it means to express the same love—the love of Christ—in your own special way.

The Spirit in you is God’s gift to you—given to you to share His blessing with everyone as no other can do.

Maranatha