Anytime my father and I spend an extended amount of time together, we inevitably talk about a wide range of church subjects. Some talk is theological, some administrative, and other cultural. One constant in both our discussions is commentary on how easily divided Christians become over the simplest things.
Reflecting on this, I posted something on Facebook about how Christians can treat one another in the face of disagreement...
Imagine being a Christian who refuses to even look at another Christian because they want to "Christian" differently from how you have always "Christianed". And people wonder why individuals are fleeing the traditional church in droves. Maybe it's because of individuals who carry the title of "Christian" and treat their religious affiliation like a deeply divisive political party. It sure is going to be shocking when one day we reach heaven and God tells us exactly how LITTLE any of our interfaith squabbles mattered! (Facebook Post, 12/5/2022)
Lest anyone begin clutching their pearls that anyone would editorialize on divisions in the universal church, check out these words from Paul to the church in Corinth...
10 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. 11 For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by members of Chloe’s people, that there is rivalry among you. 12 What I am saying is this: One of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name? [...] 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect. 18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. (1 Cor 1:10-13, 17-18)
Paul was identifying that there were divisions in the body of Christ (the church) caused by all sorts of "lesser things". Some had beliefs that fell more in-line with Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or any of the other early church leaders. Because of their lesser differences, they were forgetting what makes them so similar.
Christ is the unifying factor that cuts through all differences. Christ came as one man to live one life, die one death to pay the penalty for all. Christ arose from one grave, achieving one resurrection, and offers one pathway to all for eternal life. That's all that really matters. Everything else... how we worship, where we worship, our academic thoughts on theology, our philosophies... is a far distance second on our list of priorities.
As we live our lives and interact with those who may act or think differently from ourselves, let us focus on what unifies us for that is how we most glorify the body of Christ.
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