Question 1

How should I view my differences with others?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 10:19So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.Love those who are different than you. They may be different in race, skin color, personality, status, or political viewpoint. It’s easy to focus on things we have in common when we’re looking for friends. But the strongest friendships are often between those who recognize and appreciate each other’s differences.Psalm 133:1-3How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil. . . . Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.Live in harmony despite your differences. In the church, God wants you to function together in unity. When Christians use their differences to produce harmony, the church becomes a healing and refreshing balm to the community.Proverbs 17:14Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.1 Corinthians 1:10I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.Arguing over differences of opinion often does more harm than good. Instead, we should talk about how our differences of opinion can each be a part of a bigger solution. This helps everyone be more productive and promotes peace.Galatians 3:28There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.Ephesians 2:14Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.Ephesians 4:3Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.God puts very different people together in the church, and then unites us through the Holy Spirit. If we are united in Christ, no earthly differences can break us apart. One of the important roles of the Holy Spirit is showing us that we can be different, but not hostile. It is a powerful thing when we appreciate and admire the differences in someone else.

Question 2

Can our differences help us be stronger?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 27:17As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.Romans 12:5So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.Just as all kinds of instruments strengthen an orchestra, so people with different gifts and perspectives make any team stronger. God often puts very different people together in marriage, too, so that their gifts can complement each other. It may seem ironic, but it is through diversity that the greatest Kingdom progress is accomplished. If everyone always thinks the same, the status quo never changes and nothing world changing ever gets done.

Differences