Uniquely Different
Romans 12:4-8
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
There are quite a few things in life that are different, yet they’re the same. Odd I know, but it’s true. For example: Some of you are women, some of us are men, but we’re all human… we’re different, yet the same! Created specifically for each other!
Another example can be shown very easily, in the way we speak… our language. “There” “their” and “they’re” all sound exactly the same… yet “they’re” very different and have radically different meanings. The words, “to, too, and two” - again - sound just alike, but the context in which they’re spoken makes them very different.
Simplistic examples, no doubt, but they make the point!
I think it’s very much the same in the life of the church. We’re different, but the same. That’s what Paul was trying to help us understand in 1 Corinthians 12.
We differ in our backgrounds and stations in life. But we’re one in the Spirit. In fact, once we receive the Lordship of Christ, and He empowers us with the Holy Spirit - a transformation takes brings about a new creation; you become a different person. A person who once, for whatever reason, was led astray by the many idols of this life, becomes empowered by the Holy Spirit - no longer cursing Jesus, but praising Jesus.
I think to really get a handle on what Paul is saying here you have to look at the church he was writing to. The book of 1 Corinthians is actually a letter that Paul wrote to the church in the city of Corinth. Corinth was a busy commercial center. It was located along a 6-mile strip of land that connects the northern and southern part of Greece. It was not just a land bridge, connecting north and south, it was also the shortest sea route around Greece. Whole ships were drug across the Isthmus to save having to sail all the way around the southern tip of Greece.
The end result is that Corinth was a cosmopolitan city. People from all over the known world lived there. People from wealthy Roman merchants to galley slaves made Corinth home. People of many different pagan cultures who spoke many different languages. And the church in Corinth was a reflection of the metropolitan community it was in. It too included rich and poor, slave and free, Greek and Jew.
But the church in Corinth was also diverse in its gifts. It was truly a very gifted church. There were people with all kinds of Spiritual gifts and abilities there. They had people who could preach and teach and speak words of wisdom. People who could heal and help and understand And they used their gifts in the church.
As I think about it, our church is a lot like the church in Corinth. We have a fair amount of diversity as a congregation. For a small church it is surprising how diverse we are. We have people who are financially well off and we have those who are not. We have people of different ethnic backgrounds. There is a diversity of educational backgrounds.
Just look around the church. We have young and old. Local and people from all over. People who grew up Presbyterian, some who grew up in other churches, and some who grew up in no church.
And we’re a gifted people! It is amazing at the talented people that God has sent our way. Some of you are talented in the kitchen. Some know how to make a penny scream… others are teachers, and leaders, encouragers and planners! We also have some wonderful musicians and many musically gifted members, we have members who can sew and act and build and manage.
Our church is a lot like the church in Corinth.
Paul was telling the Corinthians, and us, that even through we are different, it’s what unites us that makes us strong. And we’re never stronger… never more useful to the Kingdom of God than when we use our various giftings and graces IN UNISON!
In the same way we are all uniquely different. We are different colors, different shapes, different ages, different sizes. But at the heart we are the same. We share the same calling. The calling to follow Christ and to serve Him with the talents and graces He has given to us, and empowered in us thru the Holy Spirit… to use for the honor and glory of God.
And that was God's plan from the start! That is part of his purpose. God made us all different in order that we complete one another. We are all unique so that our gifts and abilities can be used to help, benefit and compliment one another. As Paul said it, "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
What if we were all the same. That would be boring. But the truth is... it would be worse than boring. If we all had the same talents and abilities we would never learn anything from one another. And if we all had the same talents and abilities, we’d all be lacking in all the same areas, too.
But God in his infinite wisdom has drawn us together. He has united us in the one Spirit... for the common good. In fact, the Holy Spirit intentionally makes us different by giving us different gifts. And at the same time the Spirit makes us the same in our hearts.
The question is: how are you and I using our giftings for Christ? Our talents are not spiritual giftings and graces unless we’re using them to honor Christ! Are we looking for ways to invest our talents in God’s Church and in the greater community for His glory... His honor... His purposes?
I know what some of you are thinking! You’re thinking “well, I don’t have any talents or abilities to share.” Nonsense. We all have giftings. If nothing else, we can be kind, and loving. We can share the gifts of joy, and appreciation. We can spread hope. And the way I see it, our world could certainly use a healthy infusion of all those things. And we’ve been blessed with plenty to share.
By the grace of God we are uniquely different, but the very much the same. Celebrate your differences. Look around you and complement one another on your uniqueness as children of God. And thank God for bringing us all together through His Holy Spirit for the common good!
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