“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1st Sam 16:7)
Which resembles you the most, John leaning his head on the chest of the Lord, or Caleb at nearly eighty years old going off to kill the last of the giants? Mary, pondering these things in her heart, or Jael Heber’s wife driving a tent stake through the head of one of the sworn enemies of Israel?
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1st Cor. 10:11)
All those who have been born-again are members of the body of Christ, each of us individually blessed with talents and gifts all meant to be used for the glory of God, each of us different, yet of the same family. Will we retain that individuality in eternity? Yes, I think so, I could be wrong but I do not think that each of us has the desire to lean on Christ as John did, nor do we all have the same desires of Caleb, of Joshua or Elijah, but there is in one respect one character trait that we all possess, we love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ for the glory of God in whatever way He best sees fit for us.
There are commonalities of course, we are all to study the Scriptures to show ourselves approved, we are commanded to hate the ways of this world, to reach out to all we meet, searching for the lost, rebuking the evil, doing all that we can to never dishonor the Lord. “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Prov. 4:18)
Here is one for you to ponder, what color skin will you have in heaven? God looks on the heart, should we not do the same, if there is even the smallest amount of racism or bigotry in you, then you are not looking with your heart, are you?
Satan’s way is to create diversions, and unless you haven’t noticed lately, he has been working overtime in this aspect. What would the one who rested his head on Christ say, that we should just love them? What would Caleb say, would he draw his sword and put an end to this nonsense?
We are all individuals, yet one in the body, what did Christ say? “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matt. 5:44) What did David say, led by the Holy Spirit? “Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.” (Psalm 139:21-22)
One is called in one way, another in another way, always and only for the glory of God.
I have no desire to make up a sign, put it on a stick and go stand in the street protesting abortion, but I have no problem whatsoever rebuking and reproving those who misinterpret the Scriptures. I could not do what John did in that upper room, but even as old, and I might say becoming frail as I am, I would go with Caleb to that mountain, sword drawn.
Be who Christ has called you to be, do not try to be what you are not, do not be swayed in this respect by your pastor, your friends or your family in Christ, be what God has called you to be. There you will be profitable, there you will not be easily swayed or diverted, there you will find that peace that passes all understanding, there you will find your place in the body of Christ.
