Unity

I am reflecting on the topic of unity in the body of Christ during this Thanksgiving holiday. I have been reading through Wayne Grudem's excellent book Systematic Theology. It is a large book- over 1000 pages. But it takes the important topics in the Christian faith and explains them in a concise, easy to read format.

I would encourage anyone who wants to understand what the Bible teaches to study this book. I have been studying it with a friend. You could complete the book in a year if you read 100 pages per month and then meet with the friend to discuss what you have read.

I have good friends who are devoted to Christ among many races and denominations within Christianity. One of the most effective tools that our Enemy uses is to deceive our minds and hearts into concentrating on the areas that divide rather than unite us. I am becoming more ecumenical (promoting Christian unity throughout the world) in my belief system as I age.

Unity starts with the Trinity. There has been perfect unity among the three Persons of God for eternity. God is unified as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Christian affirms the following about the Trinity- represented visually by the diagram of the Trinitarian Shield above:

1. God is three persons.
2. Each person is fully God.
3. There is one God.

Ephesians 4:1-6 instructs us:

"I therefore- a prisoner for the Lord- urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope that belongs to your call- one Lord; one faith; one baptism; one God and Father of all- who is over all, through all and in all."

I need to ask myself every time I seek to exercise pride over another believer in regards to a spiritual disagreement: am I seeking unity? Am I acting in humility, gentleness and patience? One of the beautiful things about the Church is that it brings together people who have nothing in common outside of Christ. It can be a powerful witness to the world that God is at work because it makes no sense for those who have nothing else in common to be acting in love towards each other as brothers and sisters.

When I speak of unity, I am not referring to accepting all beliefs as being equal in importance. Although I respect the Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu and atheist, I reject their conclusions. I have them as clients, friends and neighbors. But my goal is to persuade them through words and actions that biblical Christianity is true.

I cannot be unified with a liberal Christian who rejects the Bible as authoritative. Nor can I be unified with those who reject the Trinity (as defined above)- like Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons. It is also difficult to be unified with anyone who accepts orthodox Christian beliefs but then lives as none of them were true. I will leave it to a just and fair God as to the state of their souls.

But any Christian who accepts the major beliefs of evangelicalism, I seek unity. That which unites us is much greater than what divides us. JC Ryle gave 5 distinctives of evangelicals in Knots Untied:

1. Belief in the absolute supremacy of Holy Scripture- 66 books from Genesis to Revelation- that make up the Protestant Bible. The Old Testament Apocrypha used in the Catholic or Orthodox traditions is useful but not inspired according to evangelical creeds.

2. Belief in the depth and prominence of human sinfulness and corruption- all of creation is fallen and in need of redemption.

3. Paramount importance to the work and office of Jesus Christ- redemption for all of fallen creation is found only in the work of Christ.

4. High place which it assigns to the inward work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people- no one comes to God unless the Holy Spirit calls, convicts and changes them.

5. Belief that the Holy Spirit's work to change a person inwardly will be displayed outwardly through good works and an increasing commitment to holiness- those who belong to God strive for holiness without which no one will see the Lord- Hebrews 12:14.

At the heart of stewardship is unity. God has called Christians to walk with Him in faith. He has commanded us to love Him with all of our heart, mind, strength and soul. And to love our neighbor as ourselves. He has instructed us to use money, ability, time and health to glorify Him. Christians should seek to be as broad as the Bible. We should learn and grow in our understanding of Scripture. This will cause disagreements. But disagreements on secondary issues should never divide us.

We have an opportunity to show the world that Christ is real and His power to redeem and change is total. Unity is a beautiful thing. We need to get back to our roots where Christ is everything and love for others motivates everything we do.

I remember reading about a dream of John Wesley- founder of the Methodist church. Wesley was in Heaven and asking an angel what Christians were present. Wesley asked in succession: Are there Catholics here? Presbyterians? Baptists? Episcopalians? Greek Orthodox? Pentecostals? The angel replied, "No." Wesley confused said, "Only Methodists?" The angel replied, "No, only Christians."

For the Unity of God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Ashley Hodge