A group of churches in our city came together to do a neighborhood cleanup. The shared project went so well that they now exchange choirs and praise bands and have multichurch picnics. Oh sure, there are things they disagree on. But to them, Jesus is a reason for unity.
What a contrast to the small town where I went to high school! There were only two churches, both with similar denominational traditions. They worshiped the same Jesus, and both believed in His death and resurrection. Anyone looking at us would have had a hard time telling us apart, except that they had a cool building with stone architecture and we didn’t.
But the people in that church weren’t us. And so in our school, the handful of kids from my youth group never hung out with the handful of kids from their youth group. No one would ever have guessed that we had a special bond in Jesus because we didn’t show it.
Paul wrote about freedom to believe differently on peripheral matters (Romans 14:1). He noted that some Christians chose to avoid certain foods while others ate anything they wanted (Romans 14:2-3). Some observed certain days as holy; others didn’t. But both determined to honor Christ (Romans 14:5).
Interestingly, Paul didn’t choose sides as he wrote, “Those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them” (Romans 14:3). He added, “Why do you look down on another believer?” (Romans 14:10).
God knows that not only do we need Him, we also need one another. As we meet with other believers in a local church, we may not agree on everything, but our staying together can help us grow in Christ. We are His body, designed to glorify Him as we learn to love and care for one another.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Esther 4:1-17
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. What is one good reason for refusing to associate with a fellow Christian?
Next:
Do you avoid certain groups of Christians? Is this a necessary division, or one of preference? What is keeping you from enjoying unity with them?
BearPair on May 5, 2015 at 7:00 am
Tim, this is an excellent reminder to us all of Jesus words in his Prayer in John 17… If you really want a combination blessing & exhortation, study all of the “One Another” phrases in the NT, especially the Epistles… Thanks Tim for once again sharpening our swords!
tgustafs on May 5, 2015 at 8:00 am
Ah, John 17, where — amazingly — Jesus prays for us even on the night before His crucifixion! And His prayer was for our unity.
malcolmturner on May 5, 2015 at 5:53 pm
I would dearly love unity among true brethren. There is so much party spirit in many churches today and we need to be diligent in reaching out to others and building up and edifying the brethren, not pulling down
Mike Wittmer on May 5, 2015 at 10:03 pm
This is convicting, Tim. We desperately need each other. It’s a scandal when the body of Christ divides. May we reach out to embrace any and all who worship our Lord.