| Embrace Diversity |
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Galatians 3:27-28, 1Corinthians 10:32-33 (GNB)
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.*Live in such a way as to cause no trouble either to Jews or Gentiles or to the church of God. Just do as I do; I try to please everyone in all that I do, not thinking of my own good, but of the good of all, so that they might be saved.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.*Live in such a way as to cause no trouble either to Jews or Gentiles or to the church of God. Just do as I do; I try to please everyone in all that I do, not thinking of my own good, but of the good of all, so that they might be saved.
Our God is a God of diversity. He has made people of different races, cultures and colours and He wants us to be able to understand and relate well with people who are different from us with the intent of positively impacting and influencing their lives. Jesus died to save all people; not just those who are like you. He would like to use you to extend His love and salvation to people who are not exactly like you.In Acts 1:8, Jesus told His disciples that after they received the Holy Spirit they would be empowered to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria and in the uttermost parts of the earth. He was clear that they were not to be restricted to their villages or localities. You are similarly empowered to reach out to people who are different from you.
Embracing diversity gives you a global outlook to life. When you have a global outlook to life, your reach and impact in life will be expanded. God had to show Peter a vision 3 times to prepare him to minister to the Gentiles in Cornelius' house. Before that revelation, Peter believed that it was unlawful for him to relate with someone who was not a Jew like himself (Acts 10:28). In the NIV, Romans 12:16 says, live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. See the differences in others as an opportunity to understand and relate with them, not as an opportunity to discriminate and segregate yourself from them.
PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to increase your ability to understand and embrace the differences in others and for grace to impact them.
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