There has been something that has been troubling me for some time now, and I am calling on "The Blogging Bunch" to help me with this struggle.
What do we really mean when we say that we want unity? In my feeble attempt to address this issue, let me say that most of what happens in church to promote "unity" looks more like uniformity. Most church going people have no problem coming together in "unity" as long as the ones coming together all look alike and have similar policies, practices, and preferences.
I'm reminded of Paul addressing an issue between 2 members in Philippi. He told them to be of the same mind in the Lord. Christ should be the common union between believers, not religious preferences. I'm not suggesting that we cannot have religious preferences, but our preferences should not prevail over God's principles!
We, who are believers in and followers of Christ can come together for a common cause regardless of what I have called "The Great Denominational Divide", and then go back to our particular houses of worship and do the things that make us who we are.
God is looking for unity and not uniformity. We can be the same (believers) and work toward the same end (unity), without looking the same (uniformity). We all have a common denominator and that is Jesus Christ!! God in His infinite wisdom could have made us all the same and programmed us with the same likes and dislikes, but He didn't. God made us diverse, so let's appreciate the differences in the body and not automatically regard them as wrong because they are different from us!
I believe as the body of Christ that we can be much more effective if we put down our personal preferences and come together on God's principles!! Paul said that we ought to be endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace.
We don't have to look the same, to live the same, or love the same. I tell BBC all of the time, that if you have on a uniform and your heart is not there, it's really not a uniform, it's a costume! You can put on the pants, the shirt, the shoes, the stripes, the badge, and the gun, but it's not until you take an oath (a matter of heart) to serve and protect, that you become a police officer. The same is true with any Christian. Be Blessed!!
What do we really mean when we say that we want unity? In my feeble attempt to address this issue, let me say that most of what happens in church to promote "unity" looks more like uniformity. Most church going people have no problem coming together in "unity" as long as the ones coming together all look alike and have similar policies, practices, and preferences.
I'm reminded of Paul addressing an issue between 2 members in Philippi. He told them to be of the same mind in the Lord. Christ should be the common union between believers, not religious preferences. I'm not suggesting that we cannot have religious preferences, but our preferences should not prevail over God's principles!
We, who are believers in and followers of Christ can come together for a common cause regardless of what I have called "The Great Denominational Divide", and then go back to our particular houses of worship and do the things that make us who we are.
God is looking for unity and not uniformity. We can be the same (believers) and work toward the same end (unity), without looking the same (uniformity). We all have a common denominator and that is Jesus Christ!! God in His infinite wisdom could have made us all the same and programmed us with the same likes and dislikes, but He didn't. God made us diverse, so let's appreciate the differences in the body and not automatically regard them as wrong because they are different from us!
I believe as the body of Christ that we can be much more effective if we put down our personal preferences and come together on God's principles!! Paul said that we ought to be endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace.
We don't have to look the same, to live the same, or love the same. I tell BBC all of the time, that if you have on a uniform and your heart is not there, it's really not a uniform, it's a costume! You can put on the pants, the shirt, the shoes, the stripes, the badge, and the gun, but it's not until you take an oath (a matter of heart) to serve and protect, that you become a police officer. The same is true with any Christian. Be Blessed!!
5 comments:
Sometimes those who profess their desire for unity oftentimes want others to conform to their way of doing things instead. They don't realize that there is unity in diversity.
Great post my brother! You really know how to challenge our thought processes. This is healthy. Keep it up.
In things that are essential, let there be unity, in things that are not essential , let there be liberty but in all things let there be love.
Doc you hoped me by your post, bless you.
Spoon, great post my brother. I do believe that people don't have a problem getting together with others as long as they feel the same way about the same things at the same time.
What is unique about every child of God is that the Master created us all with different experiences, different backgrounds, and different ideas. The truth of the matter is that as long as we can agree on the fact Jesus is the redeemer of all mankind, and that if we confess and believe in who he is, we will all see him in eternity, who cares if you come from the rich side of the tracks and I grew up on welfare. These divisions are man-made, but they are also God-removed.
Lance
Excellent Post!!!
I wrestled with something similar, fellowship-vs-socializing.
Unity-vs-Uniformity if this will help my answer was just found in the book of Matthew 6:20-21 - But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
It’s in Your Heart...
GOD Bless~~~
I would love to be able to say something very profound right here but the statement you pose is deeper than race,culture, gender or religious preferences.
It's so deep Paul warned the Ephesians about it. It's so subtle it's even right in the midst of our congregations.
It's bigger than Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic because it has its roots in pride. Remember satan will use subtle, and If he can divide the house, bind the strong man, than he can keep the church from its true purpose.
I love watching western movies. When ever the bad guy is pinned down during a shoot out, the leader will some time say to his partner, " I will draw their fire while you go around the other way."
Satan does the same thing. He makes us think that the real attach is disunity in the body when i believe the real attach is of the enemy is doubt.
Therefore you my brother must not allow yourself to think that you are not in the right lane. Stay in the race.
Post a Comment