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Unity is such a central theme throughout the New Testament, and is emphasized throughout the Bible as a whole. Psalm 133:1 says “how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity”. Paul urged early Christians to to “maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3) and Jesus himself prayed to the Father that his followers would “be one even as we are one” (John 17:22) Jesus is even called the “Prince of Peace”! (Isaiah 9:6)
Personally I hate conflict. I like relationships and communication to be smooth, agreeable and comfortable at all times. When I sense a disagreement about to take place I dread addressing the situation.
But just because I have adverse feelings toward conflict, should I let that dictate my interpretation of scripture. What kind of peace, and what kind of unity is the scripture urging us toward?
Should I avoid confrontation at all costs in the name of unity? Should I be willing to combine ministry efforts with anyone regardless of their views in the name of unity? Should I represent Christ as just an equal alternative to other religious leaders or world religions? Should I minimize the importance of accurate teaching within the church? Based on my understanding of the scripture, my answer to all of these questions is no. We should have peace, but not peace at any price. The gospel is too valuable to be sacrificed for a superficial brand of unity.
Because the terms “peace” and “unity” have been so largely hijacked and filled with unbiblical meaning I want to suggest using a different word to encourage a Biblical view of peace and unity – Solidarity.
solidarity n: unity based on shared interests, objectives or standards
This morning as I was going for a run I was huffing and puffing my way up a really big hill near where I live and I started thinking about the amazing similarities between running and fasting. (I know it’s weird, but I think it was God.)
While fasting we deny our physical body and are able to feel more acutely our ever-present need for God. I hate how terrible I feel during a fast – so physically weak and easily frustrated. But I know my heightened sensitivity to this need, which I could otherwise easily start to forget, is very good. It helps me to realize how unspiritual I am and how desperately I need God’s grace in my life when I am tempted to think too highly of myself. I’m reminded that I can’t do everything and I can’t even do anything of true value on my own apart from God. I need God to help me be a great husband. I need God give me the grace to lead a genuinely fruitful campus ministry. I need God so that I can even know or worship God.
Running produces a very similar effect for me. Coming up that big hill I felt like I may collapse at any moment and so in the midst of my wheezing for more oxygen I pray desperate prayers for his grace, mercy and power in my life and in the lives of those around me. We need God.
Yes, I have decided to start a blog. For years I have inwardly debated whether blogging was a worth while use of time. As a follower of Christ I continually feel challenged to follow the challenge of scripture to ” be careful how I live” and to “make the most of every opportunity” and so I would ask myself, is blogging genuinely fruitful or is it just a high-tech waste of time? After all who even reads this stuff?! With the jury still out as to the fruitfulness of Blogging I recently read a compelling article on the Desiring God Blog entitled “6 Reasons Pastor’s Should Blog” which helped convince me to start a blog and gave me a clearer sense of purpose for this blog. I hope that my blogs will be beneficial as I recommend resources, share bits of revelation that I got through something insightful I read, help me to interact with people that I otherwise may not, and that through the writing process my ideas and thoughts would even be clarified in my own mind. Let the blogging begin…
