United Not Cloned
Christianity is not a religion based on cloning its members meaning all Christians don’t think exactly the same nor do they live out or express their faith exactly the same. That, unfortunately, creates some confusion especially for non-Christians.
What Christianity does profess and encourage is that we have the same core beliefs, and moral compass. Paul expressed that as well when he was writing his letter to the church in Corinth.
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. - 1 Cor. 1:10
What does it mean to have the same mind and judgement? It means that Christ is at the core of our lives and everything we do and say. Paul was a firm believer of that philosophy,
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” - Colossians 3:16
When Paul traveled and preached, what he taught and cared most about was Jesus Christ...
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. - 1 Cor 2:1-5
Paul was telling those in Corinth that as Christians what really matters is Jesus Christ’s crucifixion (and of course his resurrection), the power of the Holy Spirit, and God. That is what we are to be united about.
Jesus himself said,
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”
Jesus then took it a step further and said,
“And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
And to avoid any doubt, Jesus concluded with,
"On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” - Matthew 22:34-40
God at the center, then love each other. Beyond that, we all have different skills, are designed to serve differently, and often times have different opinions (that’s a different study).
However, when it comes to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God (the Trinity - God as One) there should be absolutely no division or confusion, and we should be united in mind and judgement.
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For more on the Greatest Commandment you can download a free copy of my book, A Personal Journey that Changed Everything.
