The Pinnacle of Commonality

People share a variety of commonalities. Groups of people share race, nationality and language with others. People have other things in common with others that are not as obvious as the ones mentioned above. Some are yoked together by common experiences. Common experiences can help create a sense of empathy and an understanding of the plight of others. The experience that the Israelites had as strangers in Egypt during the years of slavery was to factor into the way they responded to the strangers that dwelt among them.

"You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in Egypt" (Exodus 22:21).

More and more people have a commonality of ideology. They champion the ideas that fit their partisan views and serve their special interest. The division we see in America on many issues is fueled by ideology. Many times, it is difficult to find any place of consensus and agreement. Worse than just having a difference of opinion, people feel resentment, animosity, anger and ill-will toward others. These ideas and feelings merge together and become a commonality of ideology.

By its very nature, ideology has a group mentality and always seeks converts to its way of thinking. Competing ideologies form and seek dominance. The results of all this in our nation are liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans and left and right.

The history of the world is littered with conflicting commonalities. In America we have the sad and regretful history of slavery and racial conflict. Even today as Black History Month is being observed to celebrate the many contributions of the black race, some of other races respond in resentful, negative ways.

Nationality has probably led the way in conflicting commonalities. Nations have been fighting nations from the very beginning.

Is there a commonality that humans share that rises above all other commonalities? There is and this is why I am writing this blog. The commonality I am speaking of is The Pinnacle of Commonality.

THE PINNACLE OF COMMONLITY IS THAT EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS BEEN CREATED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD.

We are separated by race, nationality, language, ideology and experience but we are joined by the commonality of having been created in the image and likeness of God. This commonality transcends all other commonalities.

If we all bear the image and likeness of God, why do we allow these other commonalities to become so contentious and drive wedges between us? Why do we want to harm and destroy each other when we share the image and likeness of God? When we aim our weapons at each other with the desire and intent to kill, do we not realize that we are destroying someone who bears the same image and likeness that we bear? Can we not see some of ourselves in people of a different race though we have different skin colors?

THE GREAT HUMAN COMMONALITY THAT WE SHARE AND CAN NEVER BE TAKEN AWAY IS THAT WE ARE CREATED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD.

Our human commonality of being created in the image and likeness of God has two implications for every human being on the face of this earth.

• Every person has an equal inherent value. I should never diminish or belittle any other person as somehow being lessor than myself. If I value myself, I should realize that every other person has the same value I have. We can and often do devalue ourselves in our conduct and choices. The lives that we live do not correspond to the value that God has place upon us as the bearers of His image and likeness. Because of the value that God has given to every human being, life is precious and should be viewed as God's creation. Life should be affirmed, valued and protected from conception. Not only should we protect life, but we should also enhance it when we have the opportunity.
  

• We also have an increased responsibility as the bearers of God's image and likeness. As the first one created in the image and likeness of God, Adam was given the responsibility of naming the creatures that God created. Naming the creature that God had created implied that Adam would have mastery over them.

"So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He create him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth'" (Genesis 1:27, 28).

The question as to whether we realize our commonality of being created in the image and likeness of God weighs on my mind. Understanding this pinnacle of our commonality can have a huge impact in our world. It is the one thing and probably only thing that has the power and potential to unite us as human beings. The wars, conflicts and disasters that are unfolding all around us are a sure sign that we are either ignorant of or oblivious to this pinnacle of our commonality.

This blog is not intended to be some promotion of globalism. The fact that all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God is more important than any ideological battle over nationalism verses globalism. It is not possible to do away with the varied commonalities such as race, nationality and language. Recognizing that we are all created in God's image and likeness will help us in managing all the other commonalities of life.

When I pause and reflect on the fact that I have been created in the image and likeness of God, I have a profound sense of worth and hopefully a deep desire to fulfill my responsibility. I pray that you have embraced this pinnacle of commonality for yourself and every other person to whom God has given the precious gift of life.