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Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
Not the Same
Date Posted: August 8, 2007
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All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Philippians 3:15-16 NIV
So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.
Philippians 3:15-16 The Message
Wouldn't the world be a boring place if we all looked the same, acted the same and thought the same?
God is amazingly creative.
He made each person unique - all the way down to the number of hairs on your head. There is no one else quite like you. You are uniquely "you" - just because that's the way God wanted it.
Instead of embracing our differences and learning from them, often these differences are the source of great conflict.
Wars have been fought over differences. Churches have split over them. Families and marriages have fallen apart because of them.
People who profess Christ as their Savior are called Christians - and even when agreeing over something a big as that, still there are differences that separate us.
That's what Paul is talking about in Philippians 3. Using himself as an example for Christians to follow, Paul is encouraging the Philippians to be like-minded - focusing their hearts upon Christ and heaven - instead of focusing on the things we don't agree upon.
Despite the many things we differ on, focusing on Christ is something all Christians should be able to agree upon. Paul is encouraging us all to bear with one another and not judge each other because of our differences. We should focus on the goal - knowing Christ and making Him our all.
As for our differences, we shouldn't stress over those things. We should join together and wait for God to give us a greater understanding of those things we differ on.
I need to be reminded of this daily. I often find myself stumbling over situations where I can't understand why someone doesn't think about things the same way I do. I get frustrated and sometimes I don't respond well.
As I meditate on this passage of Scripture, I realize that we are not the same - nor did God intend for us to be the same.
And when you think about it, that's a good thing. Otherwise life would be very boring.
So instead of focusing on the things that make us different and separate us, I am trying to focus on the things that unite us.
One of which is knowing that Jesus died for each of us and He loves each of us the same and it's more than we can measure or imagine and there's nothing any of us can ever do or have ever done that will change that.
Praise Him!
Philippians 3:15-16 NIV
So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.
Philippians 3:15-16 The Message
Wouldn't the world be a boring place if we all looked the same, acted the same and thought the same?
God is amazingly creative.
He made each person unique - all the way down to the number of hairs on your head. There is no one else quite like you. You are uniquely "you" - just because that's the way God wanted it.
Instead of embracing our differences and learning from them, often these differences are the source of great conflict.
Wars have been fought over differences. Churches have split over them. Families and marriages have fallen apart because of them.
People who profess Christ as their Savior are called Christians - and even when agreeing over something a big as that, still there are differences that separate us.
That's what Paul is talking about in Philippians 3. Using himself as an example for Christians to follow, Paul is encouraging the Philippians to be like-minded - focusing their hearts upon Christ and heaven - instead of focusing on the things we don't agree upon.
Despite the many things we differ on, focusing on Christ is something all Christians should be able to agree upon. Paul is encouraging us all to bear with one another and not judge each other because of our differences. We should focus on the goal - knowing Christ and making Him our all.
As for our differences, we shouldn't stress over those things. We should join together and wait for God to give us a greater understanding of those things we differ on.
I need to be reminded of this daily. I often find myself stumbling over situations where I can't understand why someone doesn't think about things the same way I do. I get frustrated and sometimes I don't respond well.
As I meditate on this passage of Scripture, I realize that we are not the same - nor did God intend for us to be the same.
And when you think about it, that's a good thing. Otherwise life would be very boring.
So instead of focusing on the things that make us different and separate us, I am trying to focus on the things that unite us.
One of which is knowing that Jesus died for each of us and He loves each of us the same and it's more than we can measure or imagine and there's nothing any of us can ever do or have ever done that will change that.
Praise Him!
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Michelle Sanders Brinson makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband Andrey, their son Jadon and their dog Rudy.
Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
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