Early in life we learn how to distinguish ourselves from others. Positive and negative results flow from this. Certainly, we learn the value of competition and accomplishment; character is built even in defeat. But off the field of play and away from academic competition, the social aspects of this type of thinking can be cruel.

I went to school with a girl whose outward looks caused other kids to think of her as ugly. They treated her shamefully, assigning the name “IT” to her. I still have personal guilt, not because I participated so much in it, but with my last name, you can imagine what they said to me and how I reacted and avoided her.

In my case, I was adopted and my parents insecurely treated it as shameful. So I developed low self-esteem, and always thought other people were better than me. After becoming a Christian, growing spiritually for me meant--very importantly I might add—learning to think of myself and others in a different way. It helped that my mother (in spite of the afore-mentioned problem) instilled in me the adage that “no one is better than you, and you are no better than anyone else.”

The verse just preceding this, Romans 12:15, says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Too often, people play games in their relationship with others because they DO think too highly of themselves and look down on others. But Romans 12:16 makes clear that there is NO one undeserving of your friendship; further, that you should not think so highly of yourself that you miss the value that the friendship of others can add to your life! Preaching the “oneness” and unity of the church is not just an anti-denominational concept. It is also important to practice that unity on a personal level with those with whom you worship—even those people who are different from you!

How else will we show the world the power of the gospel?