By Theodore Kalivoda
Did you know that God considers Christians very special people? Oh sure, he will take us to heaven one day, and in the meantime he cares for us. But have you ever thought about its implications on how we view one another? I'm suggesting that since God considers us special and treats us accordingly, shouldn't we carry the same sentiment toward fellow Christians?
It's something I pondered after my involvement years ago in a two-month government-sponsored project in India. The idea was precipitated by the word Namaste, an expression used by everyone in India in greeting one another. I was sure it meant something nice, maybe even religious, since hands placed together in a prayerful attitude accompanied it. But curiosity got the best of me. I just had to find out its exact meaning. I discovered that Namaste translated to "I see God in you." Wow! What a nice thought!
It got me wondering about possible carry-over to Christian relationships. Could I unflinchingly refer to brothers and sisters in Christ as having God in them? What would be its implications regarding my true feelings and behavior toward them?
I offer a brief introduction below and then provide subsequent installments on the topic over the next two weeks.
Introduction
Christians often take one another for granted; that is to say, we make no difference between fellow believers and others, as if our faith had little carryover to relationships with one another. We let little differences get in the way of acceptance and care, sometimes showing a blasé and even flippant attitude. I can't help but see it as violating God's holy work in us. Why do I say that?
Are you aware that God indwells Christians to set us apart as special people? He even calls us saints and holy ones. Wow, you may be saying. Me a saint? Holy? Of course! Those terms are scattered throughout the New Testament to describe believers in Christ. That's because God has declared us completely righteous based on our acceptance of the cross work of his Son. (Note that I didn't say we are made righteous, since we continue to sin because of our fallen nature. But we are declared righteous.) The upshot of the matter is that God now wants us to respect and relate to each other in line with His acceptance. Uh oh. Respect one another? Maybe that's bringing on guilt feelings. Don't despair! God is ready to fix it.
The New Testament shows Jesus appealing for family intimacy, for Christians to maintain a mutual love relationship. He set a nice example through his love for the Twelve, which had a positive impact on them. But he also saw that through the practice of loving one another they would really distinguish themselves as disciples before the world. Do you remember his words? "A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples" (emphasis mine) (John 13:34-35). In other words, the practice of love would carry a powerful message to those observing it.
But there was more. In an anguished prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, just prior to his crucifixion, Jesus cried out to the Father, "That they may be one as we are. . . so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (emphasis mine) (John 17:11). Concentrate on that last phrase about the powerful effect Christian unity has on the world. It actually affects their attitude toward Christ.
Jesus knew that the way we treat each other would affirm the truth of his coming into the world. Seeing good behavior in us, people are apt to say, "Maybe there's something to that religion."
Jesus understood that a disregard of two critical characteristics –love and unity — would have dire consequences for the Faith. So he called us to get serious about relating to one another as special people, spiritual kinfolk, and family. He saw such behavior to reflect true discipleship. And certainly no true Christian would deny being Christ's disciple.
Special people? Yes! God declares us so, putting His Spirit in us as a divine mark of acceptance. We are all a part of His holy family! Since that's the case, might it not be a good idea to treat one another as special? It suggests a rather interesting question: Would it not be productive if each of us reflected on how we had failed to treat people in the spirit of Jesus' words, and then of course to take corrective action?
I grew up in a Pennsylvania community near a church bearing the name "Holy Family." I never gave any thought to its meaning until I started writing this article. The name then flashed across my mind — a holy family. What a splendid idea!
Catholicism uses that name to refer to Jesus, Mary and Joseph, undoubtedly making that association in naming that Pennsylvania church. But suppose the people who met there considered themselves a holy family. Wouldn't that be neat? It certainly would cause some serious thinking about one another's holiness in God's eyes. It would also suggest serious thought about our responsibility toward one another. But that's something you can read about in Part 2 next week.
In the meantime, keep in mind how God considers you as special. That will inspire you to new heights in the way you look at yourself for your own well-being.
(To be continued next week).
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