Unique

<<distinctive>>

Although all humans are similar in many ways, experiencing common temptations and desires, we have a distinctive mix of temperament, physical and mental characteristics that differentiates us from everyone else. Each believer also has an individual, specific calling from God, a particular

See yourself as special in God’s economy, with a key contribution to make

function in building His Kingdom. It is our responsibility to find His will for our lives and fulfill it to the best of our ability, with His enabling.  

The common overall purpose for all Christians is to be conformed to the spiritual image of Jesus however, the outworking of that expression varies from believer to believer (Rom 8:29, 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:12-30).  He individually chooses the refining process best suited to the raw material of our lives. As we surrender ourselves to Him the desired ‘fruit bearing’ will come about.  Paul said he was giving his

As only I can fulfill my divine role, am I doing it?

all to outwork the call of God on his life (Phil 3:7-14). As it was for him, it is for us too – if we want our lives to contribute to accomplishing God’s will, it requires intentional choices, submitting to hardship and making sacrifices. Jesus gave His all for us – can we give less in return?

Among the numerous religions of the world, Christianity is astonishingly unique. While all other belief systems depend on humanity by their own continual efforts to obey the rules to be acceptable, Christianity is based on a relationship where the supreme God of the whole universe reaches out to sinful humanity. God, through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross provides the means (for those who embrace the offer of salvation) to be justified and made righteous. With Christianity our God did not remain aloof but became one of us, and in fact Jesus suffered and literally gave His life as our substitute to outwork this love plan (Rom 5:8; Phil 2:5-8; Heb 2:14, 9:12). Those who accept this gracious offer are termed “sons of God” (Jn 1:12; Eph 1:5). Christianity’s leader, Jesus Christ did not remain dead but was resurrected to life again and this is a defining point, for without it, Christianity does not exist, and our faith is useless (Rom 10:9; 1 Cor 15:14-17; 1 Thes 1:10). Praise God He did rise again as recorded in the Bible and by secular history (Act 2:32). This is proof of who Jesus is and that He did accomplish what He set out to do: provide the only means of redemption for mankind (Mt 16:21; Act 4:12; Eph 1:13, 2:8,9). Christianity’s source of information (the Bible) claims to be the written Word of God, infallible and inerrant and all that is necessary for faith and practice with its teaching the final authority (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20,21).

See also: call/calling, Christianity, individual.