Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
God takes each individual believer as a unique personal creation and molds them into a special place in the larger artistry of His church. There is a wild, mosaic beauty to the Body of Christ. Each person as themselves is a work of art, but when placed into the Church, an even larger work of greater art can be known. God creates unity from the variety. It's beautifull!
Having lived my life within the church, both as member, and as a supportive, serving leader to the Body of Christ, I have seen this firsthand. And as my viewpoint broadens, the observation increases! I travel to a new spot on the globe, meet Christians there, worship together, and see yet another scene in the mosaic God is making come together. The variety displays a certain God-designed unity. We exist and worship and shine the light of God's glory in the gospel of Jesus Christ to this world together. It is amazing.
Perhaps, just perhaps, one reason so many denominations of Christians exist is so that this picture can be seen in its individual pixelization. We are not cookie-cutter people who are all identical. But with One Savior, we have the ability to group around a common bond that lets the unity of our common salvation be known. And God knows the world needs to see the beauty of Christ's Bride. But will we see it in ourselves? Only if we stop narrowly focusing on individuals and our own favorite groups.
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