For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Rom. 8:29-30
Dear heavenly Father, this über-encouraging Scripture reminds me that none of us is an only child. Jesus is the firstborn of many brothers and sisters. Though I came from the womb a selfish man and was raised in a culture of individualism; though I’m an introvert by temperament and often a loner by choice, nevertheless, you’ve made all of your children for rich relationship and engaged community. In your Word, the “we’s” and “our’s” outnumber the “me’s” and “mine’s’” about ten to one.
Only the gospel is big enough to make our concave hearts, convex. Only the gospel is powerful enough to help us risk knowing and being known by others. Only the gospel gives us the motivation and means for thinking of others more highly and often, than we think of ourselves (Phil. 2:1-11). Only the gospel can give us genuine intrigue and enjoyment of other people so different from us. Indeed, there are no ordinary people or unnecessary people in the body of Christ. There are no big people or little people in your family. We’re all the right size. Not one of us is more justified than the other or more precious in your sight. We’ll all be equally glorified when Jesus comes back—each one of us will be just as lovely and loving as our Savior.
Forgive us when our attitudes and actions contradict these grand affirmations. Forgive us when our penchant for tribalism takes precedent over our calling to have love for all the saints. Surely it must grieve your heart that there are over 40,000 different Christian denominations in the world. Forgive us, Lord. Forgive us for all the ways we make the gospel about “me”, rather than about “us.”
Father, one Day we’ll gather in the New Jerusalem as your completed family—as sons and daughters, brothers and sisters from every race, tribe, language, and people group—eternally diverse and perfectly united. As we will love then, enable us to love now. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and unifying name.