Only One You
Only One You
I am fearfully and wonderfully made…
Psalm 139:14
Do not compare yourself entirely to another, for there is only one you. God designed you uniquely and though we may classify human traits in general categories - hair color, height, extrovert or introvert - these do not dismiss the uniqueness of each person. Of the billions of human beings that God has created over the centuries, there is only one you, only one you who can live in the fullness of the Spirit as you, who can make the contributions to the kingdom of God as you can make, who can be the husband, wife, father, etc. that you can.
In a general way, we can evaluate our progress in things spiritual by seeing how others progress. All must believe in Christ (Acts 4:12), temptations are common to all people (1 Cor. 10:13), all believers are to testify of God’s grace in Christ (Matt. 10:32), all are to walk in the fullness of the Spirit (Eph. 5:18), so there are some common standards that apply to all. But in service, we are each fearfully, wonderfully and individually created to be, to think and to do just as God has created us.
Paul and John: These two individuals were God’s instruments to write much of the New Testament, yet they represent two distinct personalities, cultural orientations, and styles of writing. They both show the ways that God uses different personalities for His purposes.
Paul thought logically, and was trained to read books and to present logical, coherent arguments. So his writings are logical. He has a predictable pattern in most of his letters, of first laying down doctrinal truths and then secondly applying these to life - first the theological doctrine and second the moral application of these doctrines. In the New Testament world where books were expensive, many people could not afford them or many of them, and were not trained to think like Paul. When his letters were read aloud, some could not easily follow his logic, hence Peter mentioned that Paul’s writings were hard to understand for the first century believers. But his inspired logic is a wonder to behold for us of this century, as he proclaimed, “If this is true, then this is how we should act!”
John, on the other hand, seemed almost to place the entire revelation in each verse that he wrote. As John’s writings were read aloud, each verse seemed to be a thought and an application all by itself, and seemed to be able to stand alone. John’s gospel is a painting within a painting, his epistles like thematic collections of inspired sayings. There is logic and development, but not like Paul’s. So we tend to memorize more of John (3:16; 10:10; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1-10; and 20:21, for a few examples).
These two great lives illustrate this principle of personality, for them each lived under the Lordship of Christ and served in the power of the Spirit, yet they were not the same in all ways. Human individuality is created by God into the pattern of creation, so enjoy being the you who God created you to be, and serve and live in the fullness of His Spirit.
God has created us each like this. He relates to us as individuals. It is amazing to me to see hundreds or thousands of believers come into the same worship hall, sing the same songs, listen to the same sermon, yet each feel a personal and intimate touch by God upon his soul. God has created only one you, and He loves you as much as He has loved any other human He ever created.
Love Him in return. Speak to Him intimately and sincerely. He wants to hear from you and every aspect of your life fascinates Him - every challenge you face, every difficulty you have, every blessings and cause for gratitude also. He wants to speak to you, and through you.
Andrew Murray, in his book The Deeper Christian Life, wrote:
This Christ is a living Person. He loves you with a personal love, and He looks every day for the personal response of your love. Look into His face with trust, till His love really shines into your heart. Make His heart glad by telling Him that you do love Him. He offers Himself to you as a personal Saviour and Keeper from the power of sin. Do not ask, can I be kept from sinning, if I keep close to Him? But ask can I be kept from sinning, if He always keeps close to me? And you see at once how safe it is to trust Him.
We have not only Christ’s life in us as a power, and His presence with us as a person, but we have His likeness to be wrought into us. He is to be formed in us, so that His form or figure, His likeness, can be seen in us. Bow before God until you get some sense of the greatness and blessedness of the work to be carried on by God in you this day. Say to God, “Father, here am I for Thee to give as much in me of Christ’s likeness as I can receive.” And wait to hear Him say, “My child, I give thee as much of Christ as thy heart is open to receive.” The God who revealed Jesus in the flesh and perfected Him, will reveal Him in thee and perfect thee in Him. The Father loves the Son, and delights to work out His image and likeness in thee. Count upon it that this blessed work will be done in thee as thou waitest on thy God, and holdest fellowship with Him.