“We often confuse biblical unity with its bogus counterfeit: uniformity.”

A thought by Larry Osborne, (2009-04-04) from his book, Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith (Kindle Locations 1683-1684). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

I don’t know if I had ever thought about this but it really makes sense. Especially when you see the difference.

Larry first of all says, “Our biblical unity is rooted solely in our relationship with Jesus. It’s not dependent on shared religious practices, patterns, or preferences. It’s not contingent on agreeing on every point of theology. It exists even when we wish it didn’t.”

Ok but what about uniformity? Larry says, “Uniformity is very different from unity. It’s based on clone-like similarities. That’s what makes uniformity so comfortable. It’s naturally cohesive. When everyone walks, talks, and looks alike, it’s not too hard to get along. There aren’t so many issues to work through. It’s rather easy to be patient, kind, and forbearing with a clone of myself. I understand where you’re coming from. I know what you mean. I feel your pain.”

“But uniformity is not what Jesus died for. He didn’t come to break down the dividing walls that separated Jews and Gentiles, slave and free, women and men so that we could coalesce around a boring, blended, homogenous middle. Quite the contrary. He came to save us in our differences, not from them. God delights in our diversity. Many of our greatest differences are an essential part of his sovereign plan. He actually made us that way — on purpose.”

I know many individuals come into marriage to change the other person. Yes, there is a maturing process in all relationships. I’m glad I’m not the person I was 40 years ago, but I do know that Margaret loved me then and she loves me now. We are both different and that is a very good thing. But back 40 years ago we united together as husband and wife. And that is also a very, very good thing.

Larry says, “When the world sees us loving and bearing with one another, like the sons and daughters of God that we are, they’re drawn toward us. We gain credibility to speak into their lives. It reflects well on our heavenly Father. But when they see fisticuffs and shouting matches breaking out in the eternal security aisle — or the political aisle, or the Holy Spirit aisle — they can’t help but wonder, ‘What kind of heavenly Father would have a family like that?’”

That is a good question isn’t it?

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