Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Neither Jew nor Greek

Galatians 3:28 (NIV)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Okay...this is not going to be an easy post for me to write. Wanna know why??? Because.....it's all about me....and not in a good way, either. The only way that I have ever been able to show anybody a better way....or to show what scripture means to me....is to apply it to myself....and, in doing that, there's not always a pretty picture to be painted.

My Mom raised me to love everybody, but she also said that didn't mean that we would always like their ways. I was also taught the old saying "birds of a feather flock together". My Mom would use that saying when she didn't want me to hang out with anybody who did things that she was teaching me were wrong....a wrong lifestyle....bad habits....an immoral life. I went to grammar school at a very small school....where every single one of us were pretty poor, but none of us realized it because all of us were in the same boat!! But, even in grammar school there were people that I knew better than to become friends with because of what my Mom had taught me.

When I first went to work in Knoxville....at the age of 19....there was a lady I worked with whom I became good friends with. I really like her (I say "like" because we still keep in touch) and we just hit it off...but, again, because I lived at home, my friendship with her became a problem because she lived with a man and they weren't married. I had another friend at that job and we were as different as "night and day"....but we became such good friends.

So many times in my life, I've missed out on opportunities to get to know people because their lifestyle, or their background, or whatever....was completely different than mine. I doubt if any of those from my past are reading this right now...but, if you are, please know how very sorry I am. But, I'm finding as I grow older just how alike all of us are....and there isn't one of us any better than another. God loves each of us....the same....He doesn't show favoritism to any of us. If I truly want to be Christ-like, which is what being a Christian really is....I need to....and I want to....never be accused of having a "haughty", or a "holier than thou" attitude!!! I never want to think that I'm better than anybody. As I'm growing older....and hopefully wiser....and closer to God....I welcome new friends. I hope that you all find what I'm discovering...we're all alike in so many ways...if we'll just give each other a chance!!!

In His Most Precious Love...and with mine!!!

2 comments:

  1. This is a good post. In Acts 17:26we are made from one man,every nation. We each may have different backgrounds and up bringing and your mom did her best at what she thought was best and she raised a beautiful lady and my mom did her best, and I'd like to think I turned out ok even though I made some bad decisions in my life. You did well with Jess and I pray that I am doing well with my kids. And even though we are different according to our up bringing, God loves us all as we are. I like the new friends I have made in the last couple of years and they each are beautiful in their own way but we are striving for the same goal, and that is to be Christ like and it is a work in progress. Love ya!!
    P.S. That flower bed pic looks good with your background. Even though you worked hard planting those flowers, just look at the handy dandy work God is doing with those beautiful blooms!! :)

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  2. Sensational Post! Uhm Deb, I think we had the same MOM! Oh no!
    You know I resented my mom always for labeling this one or that one even those that had wrong attitudes, or bad deeds...we just saw each other on the same level but just different...I guess for the most part I am still that way. I know that God has instructed us to be wise about our company but that never meant to exalt myself above one single individual...my Bible tells me that "we all are precious in his sight"...what is the other "old" saying, If not but for the grace there goes I....yeap that would be me! :0)
    As always I enjoyed your post today
    Like eatin' blueberry muffins and hot coffee on a cold cold winter morning....soothing for the soul.
    Thanks much my new friend

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Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24