Continued from last week...
Diversity
The last aspect of Christian unity we want to discuss is that of diversity. Christian unity is not uniformity! It is unity within diversity. The faithful come from every tribe and nation, brought together as equals, redeemed by the blood of the lamb (Revelation 7:9). Galatians 3:26-28 makes our equality clear. The gospel is the great equalizer, breaking down all barriers of ethnicity, gender, and social and economic status. There is no room for racism, misogyny, or prejudice in this new and living way.
Furthermore, once they come together, they are not expected to change their occupations or statuses. The seventh chapter of First Corinthians verses 8 through 28 seems to be a rather jumbled list, but they all say the same thing: "Stay as you are. Unless you want to change. Then go for it. But you don't have to change." This is, as Paul says in verse 17b, his standard advice. Why? Because the gospel does not require you to change these things. Make no mistake, there are moral changes to be made. The previous chapters of First Corinthians dealt with several. But these moral decisions do not generally necessitate overhauling your function within society or your relation to others. Paul advises to stay the same if you can. The gospel is not about these common external elements of life and society, and so they should not be made an issue to unite or divide over.
The gospel is about God changing us on the inside, conforming us to the image of Christ. This comes out in deeds of love, abstaining from sin, and the fruit of the Spirit within us. If God calls you to make a change, then go for it. But remember that the gospel doesn't fundamentally want to change your job or your place in society or your political party or where you send your kids to school. The gospel wants to change you, so that you will be a light within the world you already inhabit—a witness to the cleansing of the blood of Christ and the power of his resurrection living inside of you.
This is why cliques and opinionated divisions destroy churches. Just as James shows us in James 2 and Paul in Galatians 2, we must not have groups dividing over ethnicity, or cultural values (as was the case in Galatians), rich and poor (as was the case in James), religious rituals, standards, preferences or social opinions (Romans 14), or any such thing. And when Paul confronts Peter about his division, it becomes clear that this is about the gospel. Christians are united over the gospel, not these other issues; and so these other issues should not be allowed to destroy this unity. Letting any of these issues separate you from a brother or sister in Christ, is to undermine the value and unity of the gospel. When this happens, your "pet issue" has (for you) replaced the gospel as the central thing for Christian unity.
So don't be cliquish. Don't divide along lines of any sort. Fellowship with, encourage, strengthen, and love all those who hold to the gospel. Many Christians are suffering from simple loneliness. Be their friend.
The diversity of the church is not something we merely "put up with." Nor is it an unintentional side effect of the gospel. It is celebrated and necessary. We are different by design. As we seek to edify one another, spurring each other on toward love and good works (Hebrews 10:19-24); our differences help. This is best seen in the illustration of the Body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12. Particularly in verses 14 through 26, it is made clear that we are different by design. We need each other to function and be whole, and our differences themselves facilitate this.
Getting Real
Let's get real! Don't make unity or separation about music, or haircuts, or skirts on women, or ties on men, or money, or popularity, or theological knowledge, or liturgy, or skin color, or homeschooling, or banning Santa Claus, or conspiracy theories, or trickle-down economics, or organic produce, or whatever your hobby horse is. It’s about the gospel. We uphold, proclaim, and live by the gospel. We separate from those who corrupt it. We unite around the gospel!
Thanks so much for staying tuned through this five week discussion on love and unity. I hope it was helpful.
Under Grace,
John Fritz
John Fritz is the Volunteer Coordinator for Thoughtful Life Ministries and the primary author of the Thoughtful Life Journal, which is published weekly from March through September. The purpose of this blog is to challenge and encourage those who have a desire to cultivate a more meaningful walk with Christ. Visit our Homepage to learn more about the ministry and our annual two-week summer Discipleship Program for teens and young adults.