ONE OF A KIND! 8/26/12

HOW MANY things can you think of, that you would consider ‘one of a kind!’ Recently I was reading a little pamphlet that was talking about God’s Word. The Bible, just by it’s name, indicates it is one of a kind! It is referred to as being ‘holy’ which means it is set apart from other books. The word Bible says it is many books in one! Those of us who are in the know, regarding God and His Word, believe that these many books in one, were inspired by God, written by men who were set apart, for the task.

MANY ARE ignorant to God’s teaching, because they refuse to believe that the Bible is God’s Word. But they all agree that it is one of a kind! When you consider that all are called but only few answer the call, it is easy to understand the ignorance of man.

YEARS AGO Jim and I moved from the country into the city. Our first spring was exciting as we watched the plants and flowers come to life that had been previously planted. We didn’t plant them of course, so we were not aware of all that was there. We recognized some, especially the row of lilac trees which turned out to be white and lavender. So beautiful! The following year we saw a strange plant, that broke the ground with a burst and grew about 2 feet, very fast. At the top was a elongated bulb with colors of deep purple mixed with black. brown edges and tinges of deep red. It looked like a big ugly tongue; not very pretty! We kept an eye on it because it kept growing taller, and we asked around if anyone knew what kind of plant it was.

ONE MORNING the bulb opened. We went out to examine the flower and was turned away by it’s odor; the smell was so offensive and pungent. Every evening we would go out and look at it. We wanted to cut it down but still wanted to know what it was. Jim did take a picture and many years later I saw it in a book. Today, I can’t remember what it was called. All I can say is that it was ‘one of a kind’ and we were both happy to see it go when it was finally cut down.

IT HAS BEEN said that everyone has a twin somewhere. But even biological twins, even though they are identical or even mirror twins; are still ‘one of kind!’ Personalities; coloring; and even the way we cock our heads, gives us our own personification. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth!” Genesis 1:1 In this scripture we find God’s personification. He is the master creator. More than that, He was in the beginning. If we are to believe in God and in His Word we must believe that God is!

“YET FOR US there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we exist.” 1 Corinthians 8:6 God’s purpose of revealing Himself, is for us to know Him. If God did not want us to know Him, He never would have created our existence and where we exist. God is a ‘one of a kind’ God! Oh yes, there are many god’s that take precedence over God, but that is truly from the ignorance of man.

“FOR THERE is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5 The scriptures tell us that Jesus was there in the beginning. Not anything was made, that was made, without His knowledge and His permission. Jesus also is a ‘one of a kind!” For anyone to say that He was just a good man, hasn’t a lick of sense.

“THERE IS ONE body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; One God and Father of us all, who is above all, and through all, and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 When I was reminded of that ugly plant and how badly it smelled; I realized that many who have been called and have rejected the call, are just like that stinky, smelly plant. They are really not a one of a kind, but just like so many others who have rejected the saving grace of Jesus Christ. They too become filled with a pungent odor that God turns away from. Don’t be like them, be one who is set apart and belongs to Christ! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 8/25/12