It's amazing how different God makes people in appearance, personality, and preferences. He has given us all a unique perspective on how we see the world and aspects of life which are important to us. God has given my wife and I two sons who are quite different from one another yet not as different as Esau and Jacob were. They were twins but as far from identical as could be: one was born covered in red hair and the other was smooth skinned. Esau enjoyed hunting and the great outdoors while Jacob preferred cooking stew and staying home.
When God heard the prayer of Isaac He caused Rebekah to conceive. Undoubtedly she had expectations of what a "normal" pregnancy would be like, having spoken with many mothers with experience, yet these romantic notions were dashed with pain and discomfort. Genesis 25:22-23 gives us insight into what was happening out of sight before sonograms: "But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I like this?" So she went to inquire of the LORD. 23 And the LORD said to her: "Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger." God caused Rebekah to conceive twins that did not play well with each other! The struggle in utero would continue throughout their lives and their descendants would comprise two separate nations.
Isn't it remarkable God would create two twin brothers who were different in appearance and attitude and even when in the womb did not get along? I find it amazing how God can do a similar thing in the Body of Christ, the church. We, like Rebekah, can have a romantic notion of what unity looks like and how other Christians would be best served to share the same beliefs and views we hold. We imagine this new life in Christ should be without conflicts, struggles, and pain. It does not take much engagement in church fellowship to realise how unique people are from one another. Through the Gospel Jesus unites people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds as members of His church of which He is the Head. Even as twins with the same genetic input are totally different people, pastors and parishioners alike have unique convictions, areas of emphasis, personal needs, experiences, maturity, and social engagement.
Believer, do you know pastors or fellow believers you see as a bit weird or different because of what interests them, their political leaning, or the stance they take (or don't take) on social issues? How easy it is to fall into the snare of thinking everyone would be better off being more like us when God has intentionally made people different from one another. God designed the bone structure, tendons, ligaments, and skin of hands and feet to be different because they serve different purposes--though part of the same body. Even all feet and hands are not the same size or shape! One hand can swing a hammer with precision and another is gnarled with arthritis. Some people cannot buy shoes at a department store because their feet are large, not the same size, or need a custom sole fitted because their legs are different lengths. The God who created countless stars and calls them by name, the God who created the trillions of cells in our bodies, He saw fit to create people unique in His own image. Instead of being annoyed or threatened by differences of others, let us celebrate God's wisdom, praise Him for our brothers and sisters, and thank Him for such rich diversity of gifts, calling, and leading.
By faith in Jesus Christ and the filling of the Holy Spirit we are united as one for His glory. The miracle of conception and human life is amazing, and being spiritually born again into the family of God is even more so. The differences of Easu and Jacob are nothing compared to our vast separation of sinners from God because He is holy and righteousness. God said to naturally wicked mankind in Psalm 50:19-23, "You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. 21 These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes. 22 "Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: 23 whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God." How different man naturally is from God though created in His image, and praise the LORD He redeems, forgives, and accepts all who trust in Him as His own. God has demonstrated His love towards us while we were His enemies, and may we demonstrate grace and love in showing kindness towards others.
When God heard the prayer of Isaac He caused Rebekah to conceive. Undoubtedly she had expectations of what a "normal" pregnancy would be like, having spoken with many mothers with experience, yet these romantic notions were dashed with pain and discomfort. Genesis 25:22-23 gives us insight into what was happening out of sight before sonograms: "But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I like this?" So she went to inquire of the LORD. 23 And the LORD said to her: "Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger." God caused Rebekah to conceive twins that did not play well with each other! The struggle in utero would continue throughout their lives and their descendants would comprise two separate nations.
Isn't it remarkable God would create two twin brothers who were different in appearance and attitude and even when in the womb did not get along? I find it amazing how God can do a similar thing in the Body of Christ, the church. We, like Rebekah, can have a romantic notion of what unity looks like and how other Christians would be best served to share the same beliefs and views we hold. We imagine this new life in Christ should be without conflicts, struggles, and pain. It does not take much engagement in church fellowship to realise how unique people are from one another. Through the Gospel Jesus unites people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds as members of His church of which He is the Head. Even as twins with the same genetic input are totally different people, pastors and parishioners alike have unique convictions, areas of emphasis, personal needs, experiences, maturity, and social engagement.
Believer, do you know pastors or fellow believers you see as a bit weird or different because of what interests them, their political leaning, or the stance they take (or don't take) on social issues? How easy it is to fall into the snare of thinking everyone would be better off being more like us when God has intentionally made people different from one another. God designed the bone structure, tendons, ligaments, and skin of hands and feet to be different because they serve different purposes--though part of the same body. Even all feet and hands are not the same size or shape! One hand can swing a hammer with precision and another is gnarled with arthritis. Some people cannot buy shoes at a department store because their feet are large, not the same size, or need a custom sole fitted because their legs are different lengths. The God who created countless stars and calls them by name, the God who created the trillions of cells in our bodies, He saw fit to create people unique in His own image. Instead of being annoyed or threatened by differences of others, let us celebrate God's wisdom, praise Him for our brothers and sisters, and thank Him for such rich diversity of gifts, calling, and leading.
By faith in Jesus Christ and the filling of the Holy Spirit we are united as one for His glory. The miracle of conception and human life is amazing, and being spiritually born again into the family of God is even more so. The differences of Easu and Jacob are nothing compared to our vast separation of sinners from God because He is holy and righteousness. God said to naturally wicked mankind in Psalm 50:19-23, "You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. 21 These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes. 22 "Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: 23 whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God." How different man naturally is from God though created in His image, and praise the LORD He redeems, forgives, and accepts all who trust in Him as His own. God has demonstrated His love towards us while we were His enemies, and may we demonstrate grace and love in showing kindness towards others.
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