Unity

 

I had the great privilege of meeting with John Abbe this morning before work.  (Even though I got myself messed up and was about 30 minutes late John gave me much grace and waited for me. Thank you again John) We had a very interesting conversation about unity in the body of Christ.  As I have been meditating over this conversation Ephesians 4:13 came to mind specifically the first part.  

“till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” 

 There are several things that jump out to me now.  We come to unity.  Unity doesn’t just happen it is something that we come to.  It seems to me that this has the implication that unity has an aspect that is dependent upon us to choose.  I would say that many times where there isn’t unity it is because we haven’t made the choice to come into it. 

The next thing that jumps out to me that it is a unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.  This suggests to me what we need to come to unity about being in agreement about a lot of different things but really the foundational faith and knowledge of Jesus. From my observations and experience the issues that divide the body of Christ are not, what I would term, salvation issues.  I have come to the place where not only will I not break fellowship over most things I won’t even waste time debating with someone most of the issues that divide the body of Christ today.  I don’t mind discussing them but as soon as it turns to debate or an argument I try and drop it. If it doesn’t matter for eternity, why does it really matter now?  I don’t believe that we have to agree on everything to be in unity if we agree on the eternal foundation that the Lord has laid for us. 

We need to act with wisdom and grace when dealing with people who do things that don’t promote unity in the body.  In my opinion there are those who have a love for the Lord and are doing all they can to walk in the truth but somewhere along the lines they have gotten into some bad ideas.  Ideas that don’t promote division on purpose but more that they keep themselves from being in unity with others because they don’t agree on things that really not eternal things.  On the other hand, there are those that scripture warns us about and gives us specific instructions on how to deal with. 

Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

If one reads exactly what these verses state we see that it is not using a broad brush in painting who and what should be rejected.  I would say that for most people they need to be shown grace until they have come more into that place of unity. How many of us have ourselves came from places where we wouldn’t even be in relationship with the people in this church because we had different views or beliefs or maturity then we now have? Let us remember that we need to not just receive grace but also to show grace to others. 

Blessings