Unity or Uniformity

 

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:2-6

 

 

So many people declare unity but fight for and demand uniformity.

You need look no further than todays’ top news.

Censoring is all about uniformity.

If you don’t hold the same viewpoint I cannot let you speak to others.

I can’t listen to what you are saying.

I must censor you!

Censorship is a weapon of the weak.

Often, the truth is what gets’ censored.

God has called His church to unity.

But it is not conformity.

He has called us to a unity of the Spirit, His Spirit.

As we individually and corporately mature in the things of God we discover that we can hold differing opinions and still respect and love one another.

Sure, there are non-negotiables.

The reconciling work of the cross is not something we would compromise.

But I have known others who reject a brother or sister in Christ over their opinion on something of little importance.

Petty things divide petty people.

We are not to be engaged in silly divisiveness.

I will say it again. There are things that matter.

But there are far too many things that consume our energies that matter little to the Kingdom of God.

If you are going to fight; then Paul directs it well in some advice to Timothy that we are wise to lay hold of today:

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

I Timothy 6:12