In a day and time in which so many people extol the virtues of diversity, it’s not surprising that those who emphasize their uniqueness might be considered “mean,” “politically incorrect” and generally outside the bounds of what is considered fitting and proper. In terms of what the “world” thinks, the idea of being “unique,” or “distinctive” in one’s actions and beliefs goes against the very grain of what so many are trying to accomplish. In the world, distinctiveness often leads to an attitude of bias and prejudice toward those who are not “the same as we.” Indeed, this all-too-human tendency has led to more problems in the world than we can even begin to number.
However, when one leaves the “worldly” realm and enters the “religious” realm, a different set of criteria must apply. In so-called “Christendom,” the denominational world has chosen in most cases to also strive for “unity in diversity.” In doing so, they mirror the attitudes of the world around them. The question we must ask in terms of Christianity is, “What does God want?” It does not matter what the attitudes of the world around us might be toward the idea of uniqueness. What truly matters is God’s opinion, and as far as being unique is concerned, God desires and commands His people to be just that - unique! In 2 Cor. 6:17, we read where God commands Christians to “be separate.” In fact, this section of Scripture addresses specifically the idea of not being joined with “unbelievers,” which isn’t surprising, since the concept of Christians being apart from the sinful world is not hard to understand.

One idea in particular will come to the forefront - God has placed salvation from sins in one particular group of people:“Christians”
 

Where the difficulty comes in for so many is in the idea of uniqueness where it applies to which is the “correct” church, and how that affects who will be saved from their sins. When someone says that Christians need to be separate from the world around them, living a unique kind of life apart from the sins of the world, there is little argument. When someone says that in order for you to be saved from your sins, you must be a “Christian” in a certain specified way, there will be howls of protest from all sides of “Christendom.”

If one studies the New Testament with the goal in mind of understanding fully what God requires of mankind in order to receive salvation from sins--if that student is sincere and honest--if that student puts aside all denominational biases and preconceived ideas, then several things will become evident. But, one idea in particular will come to the forefront - God has placed salvation from sins in one particular group of people - “Christians.” Studying further, one will find that the first evidence of these “Christians” is in the book of Acts. Indeed, these saved ones were members of the church which was founded by Jesus Christ Himself on the Day of Pentecost all the way back in the first century. This church, known as the church of Christ, is composed of those who are saved. “And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.” (Acts 2:47).
 

When one studies His Word and learns that there are certain things one must do to be saved; to become a Christian; to be added to the Lord’s church, then it is not "mean" to teach these things.

When those in “other” churches make the charge that the church of Christ is somehow “mean” because we teach that salvation is unique to the Christ's church, is this charge true? Is it somehow “mean” to be unique; or to want to be unique? If this “uniqueness” is based upon wanting to be only what God commands that we be through the words of the New Testament, then we must maintain that “uniqueness” must be equated with being right in the eyes of God. When one studies His Word and learns that there are certain things one must do to be saved; to become a Christian; to be added to the Lord’s church, then it is not mean to teach these things. Indeed, when one teaches that salvation from sins is only in the church which Jesus founded, that one is only repeating what is found in the New Testament. To teach otherwise is to deny the truth. To deny this truth is in fact the true “mean-ness.”

Being unique in the eyes of God is a very desirable characteristic because it is what God desires. Read the following passage of Scripture and see if you think that uniqueness is “mean.”

“But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for (God's) own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Pet 2:9 10).

When you consider what it means to be “unique,” please realize that there is no “meanness” involved. In fact, what a wonderful picture is painted by the apostle Peter: those who are unique in God’s eyes are “now the people of God;” they have “obtained mercy.” Uniqueness in the eyes of God is a marvelous thing; a thing to be sought after; a great and wonderful prize!