Individual

<<separate, unique>>

We are all known intimately by God who even knows the number of hairs on our heads, and deals with each of us individually, personalizing the refining process of our character depending on the raw material available and the specific product desired (Ps 139:1-24; Mt 10:30). We all have different

God loves ME, this I know

abilities, gifts, preferences, reactions, strengths and weaknesses that mark us out as unique individuals. We are not ‘mass produced’.

Although “We are all one in Christ” we don’t lose our personal individuality and its natural to have different opinions on non-essential aspects of Christianity and life in general (Gal 3:28). We should however be in total agreement on the essentials of the Christian faith (Phil 2:2). Both in the physical body and spiritual body (church) there are separate, distinctive expressions contributing to the overall benefit of the whole (1 Cor 12:12-30). As each individual readily uses the gifts and specific resources given them, we will all be built up achieving God’s desire of a functional and unified body (Eph 4:15,16).

The human approach is to generalise and lump people into groups, but God recognizes each person as a unique individual. In His infinite greatness, He is vitally involved in each one’s life. The testing’s we experience are similar to what others encounter in their struggle between the spirit and flesh, with His ultimate goal being the same for all humanity – to be conformed to the image of Christ and so bring

He tailors His refining on a one by one basis

glory to Him, being with Him for all eternity (Rom 7:15-18,21-25, 8:29; 1 Cor 10:13; 1 Thes 4:17). However, many refuse His offer of salvation and because they reject Him will doom themselves to a lost eternity.

Although Jesus died for all, the gift of God (salvation) must be accepted on a personal basis, as a definite choice – no one can inherit salvation through his or her parent’s faith (Jn 3:16; Rom 10:13). Similarly, we must individually answer to God for our lives, our obedience and growth in the Lord – this is our responsibility (Rom 14:12).