School Uniform

I remember years ago when I was attending police children school around investment area, along saints Luke road in Akure. Police children school was a very popular school then, with great estimation. That was the days when some notable public schools with high standards and value were the choice of many parents that want the best for their children. Some way some how myself and my elder sister were so lucky to be picked after the entrance extrance exam. And I remember so we'll that rain fell the day we were to come and check our names and get the necessary package for resumption. Then, the school gives two uniforms to each and every student with some big note and pencils (we just entered primary one then).

Our uniform colour was navy blue and yellow. The uniform has a unique smell of newness, that makes you want to go to school. And as students of police children school, aside from the fact that our uniform is very noticeable from afar, we were much respected by people and even students from other schools. The confidence is their, because of the brand name - police. For us, we don't have to introduce ourselves to you before you know the school we come from. You don't need my name to know the school I attend. The uniform tell it all. The uniform is our brand colour. Once we get home and remove our uniforms we become the home boys and girls that we use to be. After many years as a grown up person I took time to look at those days and examine what is the difference when we are on uniform and when are not on uniform? I asked myself why uniform? What is the purpose of uniform and what does it mean? These are my findings.

I discovered that we all came from different family and from different locations, with different name and stature. And we come under another or new umbrella. We noticeable different looks and noticeable difference depending on our background. And the school needs to see us as one. The school needs to be able to address us together as one group of people. The school needs a way by which they can identify us as their students during the hours we are with them. And they can't do this by assumption. They have to be sure of who they are talking to and who is under their watch. So they gave us uniform to solve the problem of recognition and identity. They give us uniform to help them see us as one and not differently.

When I understand this, I discovered it is the same with the issue of doctrine in the body of Christ. We as Christian come from different nativity and different background and culture. There is a way the Yoruba people dress, there is a way the hausa/Fulani dress and there is a way the Ibo people dress. Their is a culture and tribal uniform that is on you, consciously and unconsciously. Even though you're not to renege your culture as a child of God, it shouldn't separate you from the common faith with other believers. It shouldn't create disparity between believer. Then how do we as believers, despite our different tribe and culture identity ourselves and see ourselves as one. The answer is DOCTRINE. The doctrine of Christ Jesus is like a uniform that we wear. The doctrine of Christ are the practices that people see in every believer and they can tell that you are a Christian. Doctrinal practices helps our Christian identity. Doctrinal uniform makes us to look like Christ. The Bible tells us that in Antioch the disciples of Jesus were once called Christian. Why? They looked like Christ. Act 11:26 "And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." Doctrinally, they have put on Christ like a uniform. You can no longer recognize them by tribe or culture, but by the practices or doctrine of Christ.

Just as the uniform is the same for all the students in a school, it doesn't matter the class you are, the same way the doctrine of Christ is the same for every child of God, because we are in the same kingdom and the same students learning from Jesus, even though we attend different assemblies. In other words, the doctrine of Christ is universal for believers. They are the same in every assembly of the saints. For instance the doctrine of Faith in Jesus is the same and must be the same for every Christian, no matter your denomination. The doctrine of repentance is the same for every believer or Christian. The doctrine of baptism by water and the Holy Spirit is the same for believers throughout the whole universe. The baptism by water should be by water, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is marked with the evidence of speaking in tongue. Also the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is universal for believers. There is uniformity of gifts. We all operate under the same umbrella of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Also, the doctrine and teaching about the end time is the same for every believers. We have the same hope and expectations about life after death, rapture, millennial reign etc. The doctrine of Christ is our uniform, the doctrine of Christ is our recognition and our Identity. Glory to Jesus!!!!