God Views our Differences as Valuable Variables
May 25, 2017
Faith-based, God's Love, Relationship BuildingAs individuals, we are bits, pieces and portions of God’s divine reality. God has placed inside each of us the spirit of life, unique portions of His essence (Spirit). While we often stumble over one another’s differences rather than see them positively, God views our differences as valuable variables. Just as He shares something of His essence with us, that allows us to share with Him; we need to learn how to share life with one another.
Though we are all different, within us is an inherent value that beckons us to be contributing members of the family of God.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
God gives us His Spirit for the common good! The relational love that flows from God binds us to Him and to one another.
Give and Take Value in Differences
This love demonstrates God’s way of balance as a give and take value. While each part of this created universe has its distinct differences, they are all held together by this value which emanates from their Creator. Each is a contributing member of the larger picture. This balancing factor comes from God.
In a fashion similar to the differences in creation, we are all birthed into life with different character, attitude, and personalities (CAP). Our heavenly Father desires that these components in our makeup grow into greater and greater expressions of His own heart CAP.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:20).
Yes, as hard as it may be to fathom, we were all foreknown in the heart and mind of God, differences and all. He has delightful intentions for each of us in our uniqueness. Even with unique DNA and fingerprints, we are all intended to mature and become conformed to the image that was demonstrated two thousand years ago in the Son—Jesus Christ. God gave us Jesus as the perfect example of a loving Father-child relationship.
God has delightful intentions for each of us in our uniqueness.
Maturing into Father’s Best
Jesus is our perfect example. However, we are not birthed with such perfection. Rather, life is a process God gives us as a growing and maturing progression. As children, we are designed to progressively mature into greater and greater reflective resemblances of God. Christ came to introduce us to, and draw us into the fellowship of His presence so we can mature into our Father’s best intentions and plans for us.
Father’s best for you and me includes living relationally. Life always works best when we live the way we are designed to function, as complements. When we view our differences as complements, we all become better people.
God created His first human offspring by making one and then separating the one into two. This was so each would know life as a support alongside one another. If God’s intended complementary perspective takes a back seat in our relationships, we begin to see one another as contrasts. We become cautious of differences and mistrust often develops. “Me, myself, and I” becomes more important than “us.”
Scripture tells us that God made the natural universe and all things in it. So something of God must dwell in and through everything in the natural realm.
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever (Romans 11:36).
Complements, Not Contrasts
Though created with distinct differences, everything in the natural realm illustrates God’s balance as each one gives and receives support. The four climate seasons are very different, yet they are needed support systems. Spring needs the dormancy of winter and summer requires a spring. To the undiscerning eye, nature’s ecosystems can appear as separate functions, but in reality, each supports the other.
God draws us into greater relational heights when we support one another.
And so it is with us. Our active involvement in the culture of Christ (God with us) compels us to be sharing people; to value one another’s unique differences. God draws us into greater relational heights when we are supporting one another. Rather than being cautious or suspicious of differences, we want to see one another as complements, not contrasts.
Our Natural and Spiritual Faculties
God’s way of balance includes both the natural and spiritual realms as different functional realities that can also function in harmony. While our body comes from the natural earth and enables us to communicate with the natural realm, our spirit comes from God and enables us to communicate with the spirit realm and our heavenly Father. Scripture says our body will return to its source (dust) and our spirit will return to its source (God).
As explained in greater detail in my book, Created To Relate, our body and spirit both utilize our five senses to influence how our conscious soul thinks, feels and believes. This function is what makes each of us different and uniquely special. Our soul is a composite of the function of our mind, will, and emotion. The combined conscious and unconscious activity of our body, soul, and spirit formulate who each of us is and become as a person.
Our heavenly Father desires that we utilize all our natural “and” spiritual faculties while we live on this earth. We are designed to experience interactive fellowship with Him during our walk through life. Whether we live with an unclear and limited spiritual awareness, a perception that tries to nullify God’s Spirit in each of us, or somewhere in between; everyone can use some help.
Seeking God’s Insightful Input
Our insightful interaction with God and with each other is a value we all need to develop beyond our current level of immaturity. This happens as we become more aware and accept God’s helpful guidance. Hence, our further maturity is dependent on us living with His perspective.
Increasing maturity is dependent on us living with God’s perspective.
Jesus summed it all up by saying all Scripture (the Law and the Prophets) was given to teach us how to relate with God, and how to relate to each other with the loving respect we desire for ourselves. I refer to these verses often because they are the crux of God’s relational intention for each of us:
And He said to him, “‘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 foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40).
We are designed to grow and develop into God’s reflection and resemblance (image and likeness). Without His input, our growth into maturity is greatly hampered. While we can develop and reach levels of wisdom by ignoring God’s input and relational design, there are drawbacks and deathly side effects. For instance, God restricted the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden, not because it was, in and of itself, a bad thing but because it was not the better way.
Value of Others’ Differences
God alone is perfect. As offspring and children of God, we are obviously limited. Yet, He speaks to us in our partialities and imperfections to draw us into His heart beat. When we entertain any perception that God does not exist or His relational way of living is not relevant to our life today, we hamper the levels of maturity He desires for us.
God designed us with differences that He views as valuable variables, all the while maturing each of us into His greater intentions. And, if we’re attentive and responsive, His intentions can often be learned by our openness and acceptance of one another’s differences and insightful experiences.
God’s intentions can often be learned through openness to others’ differences.
We do not want to remain the same because this is stagnation. Accepting the value of differences can also open our hearts and minds to consider new insight God intends for us. We never want to quit learning, growing, developing and maturing.
God, indeed, leads and provides greater knowledge when we seek Him. His insights are intended for each of us. Most often we find God’s insights within Scripture, through His still small voice, by subtle nudges, or specific answers to prayer. Many times we can find His wisdom in a multitude of counselors, as declared by Solomon, who is said to be the wisest of all men. God gives us Himself and the gift of community where we draw from one another’s experiences and insights.
So, let’s consider each other’s insights and perceptions (valuable differences) as possible complements to our own maturing process. Be open to all the ways God desires to assist and guide you through your time in this earthly realm He provided. What might we learn if we persistently come to Him with a childlike wonder and inquisitiveness asking, “Lord, what have I not yet seen?”
Keith Carroll, Relational Gospel Founder
More resources about our relational God:
Created to Relate, Insights Into Our Design and Purpose, and The Christ Culture, A Way of Life Like No Other are available on this site for your devotional read, and for purchase in printed or eBooks.
Many folks are finding my books to be insightful and stimulating, excellent for personal understanding and to share in small groups. We provide a Leader’s Guide to facilitate discussions.
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