My brothers and sisters gathered at my parent's home yesterday. What a group! There are 13 of us, including the adopted children, and despite having the same parents, we are different - very different. We have chosen different careers, live in different locations, and chose very different ways to distinguish ourselves. Our ages span almost 40 years, a full generation! When we get together it's so easy to just notice how different we are instead of what connects us, bonding us into a family. When we get together, we re-tell our stories, share a meal, and remind ourselves that despite our diversity, we are 'the Scott family.' It's an empowering experience.
All people associate in groups; and they conform to the group's norm, and they consciously and sometimes unconsciously exclude those who are 'non-conforming.' If you don't believe it, go to a place where you're the only one of a different race or skin color, or visit a tightly knit organization as an outsider who does not know the 'code.' That sense of discomfort you will inevitably feel comes both from inside yourself and from the exclusion communicated in subtle ways to you by those who are already in. Observe children in school and, in a short time, you will be able to determine who is 'in' and setting the group standard, who is 'out' eliminated from the circle, and the players who are trying hard to adopt the group's look in an attempt to move into the center of the group from the lonely edges. The conformity thing is not all bad. Admittedly, groups can become a means of exploitation, empowering those only interested in selfish gain, such as a street gang. But, groups can also be a means of creating trust, community, where synergy allows us to accomplish goals that would be way out of reach for any one person.
When difference is overly noticed, the inevitable result is discrimination and creation of structures of exclusion that perpetuate privilege for the 'insiders.' Those of us who follow Jesus Christ must not allow ourselves to become people who exclude, who create walls that divide the 'in' from the 'out.' It's so easy to do, because it is so natural to our humanity, and because it is so psychologically comforting to 'fit in' and then to close the door behind ourselves, shutting out those who would disturb the status quo. Our Lord said, “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family." (Matthew 5:9, The Message) We reach out to others and bring them 'in' because God reached out to us and brought us 'in.'
This is powerfully illustrated from the life of the first generation Church. The message of Christ was first adopted by Jews who accepted Jesus as their Messiah, but within a few years, first Peter and then Paul, were directed by the Holy Spirit to take the Good News of Jesus to those in the wider world. Many Jewish Believers resisted that, believing that the first covenant's religious laws (Sabbath rules, kosher dietary laws, and the rite of circumcision) had to be observed by anyone who wanted into the family of God.. In other words, they thought you had to become a Jew before you could become a Christian. But Paul, inspired by the Spirit, said that Jesus had a new plan - a plan to include those who were once excluded. Take a look - "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away (Gentiles) have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, (Jew and Gentile) thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit." (Ephesians 2:13-18, NIV)
Those who would belong to God no longer celebrate their differences! They come together around the Cross of Christ, in the bond of the Spirit. Jew and Gentile, male and female, rich and poor, people of all races and colors - are invited into God's family.
We celebrate our new and amazing group described by Paul - "you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians—you are one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-28, NLT)
Do you know any 'outsiders,' people who are alone?
Invite them in, extending a welcome, going the distance to bridge the gap. As you create trust and discover common ground, you will also create opportunities to share the love of Christ.
As a Christian, are you consciously focusing on the Cross and the Spirit that bind you to others who are in the family of God, or ...
are you falling into the natural (and sinful!) pattern of playing up the differences, creating division and disunity in the Church?
Be a peace-maker!
Build up the Body.
Create unity- for God's sake. And others will say, "I knew she was a real child of God!"
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