Thirty One Flavors

Ephesians 4:1-6 – I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

For many children, going to the local ice cream shop is exciting. The ice cream shop has several flavors (even 31) to choose from: Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, Gold Medal Ribbon, Mint, Cookies and Cream, Old Fashioned Pecan, etc. The children rush into the store with their favorite flavor on their mind. Sometimes if there’s a new flavor, they may ask for a sample taste to see if they like it. If they like it, they want more of it on a cone or a cup. They may want a waffle cone instead or a sugar cone…maybe have it in a milkshake or part of a sundae. As each child selects something different, they don’t fight to ensure each of them have the same flavor and type (i.e. cone, shake). Each child is free to eat their flavor and when they leave, they each enjoy their flavor of ice cream together.

1. Different, but the same. Within the Body of Christ, we are made up of different cultures, races, backgrounds, and social statuses. Based on these ‘influences,’ we will each worship the Lord differently. We have been touched by the Lord in a different way that may make us unique from another group down the street or even next door.

2. Similiar, not different. Each of us will worship the Lord differently in Los Angeles, New York, and Tokyo. Our differences should not be our focus, but the similarity in Christ Jesus. We are of one body. It is not for us to look at how I am different from another group of believers of Christ and say they are/are not ‘saved.’ We are not to judge (give final decision) of someone’s salvation (Matthew 7:1-2), for we will be judged with the same measure.

Too much time and energy has been given to promote our differences than what brings us together – JESUS! There’s only ONE body, ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all. Just ONE!

How can we each call upon the ONE God and look to another as inferior?!

3. Respect other methods of worship. Some like to praise the Lord by running around the church and doing back flips. Another church sits in quiet meditation. Another will use dance to worship the Lord. Yet one more will use bells.

Your church is not the standard for how every other church should worship God.

4. See the big picture. The big picture is having people of every nation worship God…each person comes to repentance and trusts in the Lord for their eternal salvation and dwelling. If a person can come closer to the Lord in worship by sitting quietly, we should be thankful for it instead of condemning it. If someone comes closer to the Lord by hurdling a chair or two in church, praise God! Please read Ephesians 4:1-6 again. Let us join as one body…endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

5. Keep your sights on the smaller picture. We can spend so much time looking at others that we forget our own lives. As we (as one body) endeavors for unity, Paul spoke to the Ephesians (above) on their individual and corporate conduct to do so.

6. Remember who’s with you.

Mark 9:38-40 – And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.

Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/cynthiab