One of the biggest problems in the body of Christ is disunity. Christianity has been fragmented and splintered into so many groups and denominations that our effectiveness has been weakened. After all, how are we supposed to teach the world about truth when our “truth” causes us to disagree with each other so much?
My encounters with Christians over the years has brought me to the stark awareness that far too many Christians are more concerned about a chip-on-their-theological-shoulder than they are with expanding the body of Christ. I am continually encountering Calvinists who attack non-Calvinists. I find Baptists who attack Presbyterians, non-tongue speakers who attack those who speak in tongues (and vice versa). Pre-tribers battle post-tribbers. Amillennialists argue with premillennialists, etc. The whole thing is unfortunate. Sure, we can have different views on things, and we need to because we are thinkers. It is okay to have differences of opinion on debatable issues (Rom. 14:1-12). But our differences need to be couched in humility and love. When our opinions become more important than unity in the body of Christ, then idolatry has crept not only into the church but also into our hearts.
“Therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christs gift 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ,” (Eph. 4:1-7,12-13).
The command of Scripture is unity. Of course, unity is never to result in a denial of the essentials. They are what defines Christianity. These essentials are the deity of Christ (John 1:1,14; 8:24), the Trinity (2 Cor. 13:14), Jesus’ physical resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-4), and salvation by grace (Gal. 5:1-4). It is our faith in Christ, God in the flesh, second person of the Trinity that makes us Christians. It is not based on our belief in pre-trib rapture or post-trib rapture, charismatic gifts, days of worship, praise music, or hymns. Because the same Lord Jesus saved us and bought us (Acts 20:28), it is to Him that we must look. We must remember His humility (Phil. 2:5-8), which is a vital part of being unified in the body of Christ. We cannot be united if we are elevating ourselves and our non-essential doctrines into the realm of the essentials.
When we have a humble attitude, it is easier to say, “You may be right.” Humility is when you consider another more important than yourself (Phil. 2:3). Humility is when you admit that the Lord is working through another even as He may work through you. That unity, for the glory of God and the furthering of His kingdom, is far more important than the pet doctrines we feed and water and use to attack others who disagree with us.
“Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God,” (Rom. 14:4-6).
Why is unity so important? Two reasons. First, unity means that we are humble with each other, which pleases the Lord, and it brings Him glory. After all, God resists the proud (James 4:6). Second, people are going to hell, and they need the gospel (Rom. 1:16). Should we be so concerned about our non-essential doctrines that we take our eyes off of evangelism or let unbelievers see the followers of Christ bicker among themselves? Should we allow the enemy to sow discord among our ranks so that we are fighting each other instead of him? Or should we gather our gifts, our talents, our monies, our resources, and direct them towards reaching the lost? After all, there isn’t a Presbyterian, Baptist, or Lutheran on the throne of God.
Jesus is on the throne.
“Lord, teach me to be humble before you and others. Let my eyes be upon you and cause my heart to consider others more important than myself. May the preaching of the gospel rise above the teachings that divide us, and may the world see our unity in you as we live for you. Change my heart of Lord and teach me to love my fellow Christians even though we disagree on minor things. May you be glorified in my life.”
