Common Denominator (Humility)

 Living in a land that is supposedly a "land of the free and home of the brave" sounds like fantasy.  When immigration pours in, yes, the immigrants likely feel freedoms they hadn't experienced in their land of birth.  They have had to be brave to come.  But do they ever, truly become one with their adopted country?

Are they looked upon as 'belonging'?  That is the question.  Have they inculcated enough of the local vibes to give the appearance of being one with the locals?  Are there enough common denominators?

There are so many cultures coming together but wishing to remain who they were in their country of origin.  Generally speaking, it's armor, defensive armor.

But when there are church members in multicultural conglomerate, we Christians have to remember God's words about no more Jew or Greeks, slaves or free in the congregation of believers.

The 'common denominator' is that we are one body in Christ.  We are one in Christ.  We are all followers of Jesus Christ.  There is a 'code of ethics' - so to speak - that should characterize each believer and they each need to put it into action among the assemblage.

We all belong to Jesus Christ.  We are all Christians.  Each has the Holy Spirit.  These are common denominators.  And if each is walking humbly in the fear of the Lord, and in step with the Holy Spirit, they will behave in a manner pleasing to the Lord and not look down on anyone in contempt.  Nor will anyone look up and put anyone on a pedestal.

If you read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 you will see what God says through the Apostle Paul.

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ.  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of the one Spirit" (ESV).

When we wrap ourselves in humility, which by-the-way, is required of the Lord (see Micah 6:8 NKJV), we will want and have that attitude of Jesus Christ.  We will want to imitate Him.  At church we will engage certain behavior referred to as "expressions of humility."  These should be obvious to all.

There will then be greater unity among the saints.  There will be greater love shown to one and all.  All our praise, worship and boasting will be for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Let's let our common denominator of humility to activate.

Heavenly Father, You know how our humanness often makes us selfish and proud.  In humility, Jesus came and showed us true humility.  Help us to wrap ourselves in His, to grow more and more humble in imitation of Jesus' attitude.  We need this especially at church among believers of all shapes and sizes and ethnic backgrounds.  May we see ourselves first and foremost as Your children characterized by Your love, forgiveness and humility and more.

In Christ we are all one and not the culture we were born into.  May there be peace and harmony and a showing of Your love among the believers.  When non-believers look at us they will say we truly belong to You.  I ask all this in Jesus' most precious name.  Amen.

                                                  ~ ERC  January 2026 ~

Based on:  1 Corinthians 12:12-13 ESV.

Sing, The Love of God is Greater Far, along with Guy Penrod, Joy Gardner and David Phelps.