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“But the truth is, we aren't born as a blank slate.”

A thought by Larry Osborne, (2009-04-10) from his book, Spirituality for the Rest of Us: A Down-to-Earth Guide to Knowing God (p. 36). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book)

This is important in understanding and accepting each other.  Larry says, “We're all radically different from birth. The same information and experiences that shaped us into who we are can produce a very different world-view, theological perspective, and pattern of spirituality when seen through the lens of another. That's not to say there's no such thing as absolute spiritual truth—or that it resides only in the eyes of the beholder. The Bible spells out plenty of things in black and white—certainly all the important stuff.”

He goes on, “But that's not what usually divides us. Mostly it's the things the Bible doesn't nail down that we fight over. It's the practical outworking of biblical implications and principles that sends us down drastically different paths. Let's be real. We may know in our head that each Christian has a unique assignment from God. But when the assignments produce radically different lifestyles and approaches to spirituality, we have a difficult time validating both.”

Larry then goes into a look at the different styles of life and ministry of Jesus and John the Baptist.  I mean one was very accepting and the other was very confrontational.  And some of John’s disciples came to Jesus a little confused because he didn’t do ministry like John did.  And it seemed that John was also confused. 

And Larry said, “Jesus' disciples were equally confused about John. How could one so unlike their master possibly be pleasing to the heavenly Father? Yet Jesus made it clear: The Father was greatly pleased with both.”

He goes on, “COULD THE SAME THING be happening today? Could God be pleased with those whose walk with him is as different from ours as John's was from that of Jesus? Could the patterns, disciplines, and paths of spirituality we hold so dear be far less important than the fruit they produce? Is it possible that someone whose journey includes choices, practices, and a lifestyle far different from our own actually knows God as well as or better than we do? If the words of Jesus mean anything, the answer is a resounding yes. In his critique of John, the Pharisees, and his own ministry, Jesus was saying something most Christian leaders seem to miss: It's the fruit that matters. That should forever put to bed our attempts to create a one-size-fits-all spirituality. It should silence much of our criticisms of one another. And if properly understood, it should lead to a genuine celebration of our diversity in calling and in our expressions of faith. John or Jesus? The answer is both.”


Do you think God is pleased with how we view the diversity in each other?
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