Read:
Has another person’s culture ever made you feel a little out of place? You love the people, but the music sounds different, the language is hard to follow, and they value things you’re not used to. The more time you spend with them, however, the more you begin to understand..
The people of the ancient world had the same challenge. Jewish Christians often held onto their customs—not only because they were religious, but because they were cultural. They wore different clothes, ate different food, and celebrated different holy days. The Gentiles in Asia Minor who put their faith in Jesus didn’t share those traditions. Their worship songs may have sounded different. They didn’t celebrate the old Jewish feast days or avoid certain foods. It was a recipe for a culture clash.
Paul wanted the Colossians to know—and he wants us to know—that the unity of believers is most important. Do we share the same message that God loves the world and that Jesus died for our sins? That’s what matters. How we “do church” is secondary. What counts is loving God, loving people, and building our lives on Christ.
Do you know someone who follows Jesus but comes from a different background, culture, or church tradition? Start a conversation or share a meal with them and try to learn something new about their story. Unity grows when we choose to listen and love across differences.
Pray: Dear God, you have created a beautiful world filled with so many different people. Help me build a life based on grace—remembering that you’ve forgiven my sins through Jesus’ death on the cross. Let that truth shape how I love others, no matter how different they may be from me. Amen.