Diversity is a buzz word and being taught at all universities as the way forward in our global community using the key 'buzz' word - tolerant. No one seems to understand that diversity means differences. We seem to have a problem with differences globally. Why? Because, differences among us are not just about having different skin colors. Most problems stem from not having a common world view- one that is grounded in the true essence of our spiritual being. Is toleration the simple solution? Rather not. Toleration is only a poor short term solution. Why? Because, tolerating differences of mind and habits of the heart is not easy unless when everyone is of the same spiritual being all reaching out to the Creator of Heaven and Earth. The name of the Creator has been written on every man's heart by Him from the beginning. Man has only to reach out to Hi, to God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, of all things seen and unseen; our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; not man and not a man run State.
Diversity among people's physical features is wonderful. It shows the creative diversity in the mind of God. Diversity in the fleshly body exists for God's glory. What is to tolerate? What is intolerant is sinful behavior, it is not Christ like. We are called to remind our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ of sin; so that, they can be saved from the sin of death. We are called to become one body, one temple, an earthly spiritual attribute in the mind of Christ. Once we are born again, our body becomes a member of a greater body, the body of Christ which has no 'flesh' as we think and thus in this knowledge we become a new body... one that houses the attributes of the mind of Christ. Thus, there is no diversity in the mind and body of the spirit of the living God Jesus Christ.
"The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgement. For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But, we have the mind of Christ."1COR 2:15
This past weekend, our family visited the beach. There were many people of different races and ethnicities. It was amazing to see the world in one place. When it was time for us to leave, I took the children to the outdoor shower-off area. Here in this place of living water, we showered our bodies among many different kinds of bodies, many flesh colors representing the beauty of God's diversity. Everyone happy dancing in the water, smiling and polite, gentle... I did not know if they were Christians but I imagined that they were. In this imagining, I realized that this is what it means to truly have diversity and yet sameness in spirit/mind. This is precious! This is the divine nature of Christ in us. Toleration does not need exist here, we are one mind, one body. Anyone who rejects that is not just intolerant but a destroyer of God's diversity.
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple." 1COR 3:16-18
"I appeal to you dear brothers and sisters by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church... Rather be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." 1 COR 1:10
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