What Unites Us Is Greater Than What Divides Us

I am a thinker. Does this surprise you? I think that most people believe that I'm a talker since I'm a pastor, but the reality is that I am often content to keep my thoughts to myself. Some would argue that since I like to blog that I must be a writer. However, I don't always write what I'm thinking about. The reason is quite simple: If my thoughts are not well formulated I don't like to share them. I am quite content to allow those thoughts to stir for days and weeks on end. This is especially true when it comes to matters of faith. I like to think through things that most people don't want to think through. I like to ask questions about long held beliefs. I don't mind wrestling with things that the church doesn't want to wrestle with anymore. At times this has created disagreements. At other times it has allowed others to feel safe to join me in such a journey. The thing that I'm thinking about this morning is: WHY ARE WE CHRISTIANS SO DIVISIVE?

Psalm 133 gives us beautiful insight into what it looks like when God's people dwell together in unity and yet we continue to struggle. We seem to be more concerned with our group identity rather than being able to appreciate the whole of the church. Denominational pride, fear of losing members to other churches, and disagreements over various doctrinal positions seems to dominate among us. When did our unity become so fixed upon dogma or agreement in all matters? Is there not a unity that transcends this type of thinking?

I came across a statement this morning that quite possibly points to the root of our problem. One writer said this, "The Christian faith, more than any other, is based on doctrine." A statement that I find mind-boggling. Doctrine? That is the basis of our faith? I thought the basis of what we believe was found in a person NOT is some theological argument. I thought it was the very person of Jesus Christ that was the foundation of all that we believed. Doctrine is important, but to say that the Christian faith is based upon doctrine proves how far we have removed ourselves from the very prayer of Jesus. That we would be one as He and His Father are one. The problem with making doctrine the basis of the Christian faith is that it is way too easy to become divided. All you have to do is disagree in one point or another and the brethren no longer dwell in unity.

Please hear me out. I know that the Early Church Fathers took great pride in defending the doctrines of the Early Church. The Nicene Creed continues to be such a powerful statement of what we believe. However, what they agreed upon back then is often considered too simplistic. In other words, they did not go far enough in their statement of faith. Just take the Creed and place it along side of most churches statements of faith and you will understand what I am saying. The Creed was a response to attacks on what was considered foundational understanding for the church, but there were things that they chose not to address. Why? Probably because there wasn't a consensus in some areas or they felt that these areas could remain unverified. For whatever reason, the one thing the council did choose to put into the Creed was the belief in One Holy Catholic Church. Catholic meaning Universal. A belief that many of us need to revisit.

Paul made a statement to the Church at Rome that I think we need to understand. He encouraged the Body to "Be of the same mind toward one another..." Live in harmony together. Think of, regard, or seek after the same thing for each other. That is, whatever we regard or seek for ourselves we should seek for the brethren. He encouraged the Body of Christ to this place of unity. Where we see one another for who we are and that we contend for harmony. Recognizing this vital truth: the world will know that we belong to Christ because of our love for one another.

This is a practical side of our faith that we rarely explore. We often fail to emphasize this need in the world. That a United Church could bring so much healing, so much understanding, and so much genuineness to our faith. That we would have to do less convincing of people if they were to see the unity that we are meant to live in. Rather than having to convince someone of why we are right and others are wrong, we could simply invite them to know Jesus as we do and to join the community of faith. Does it sound too simple? Then it must be God.

The point of all of this is that WHAT UNITES US IS GREATER THAN WHAT DIVIDES US. I get it. You and I may have different views on soteriology. We may not agree on eschatology. Our beliefs about atonement, the nature of man, the finished work of Jesus, and many other things may not be in agreement. But can we not all agree on the fact that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of all? Can we not accept the fact that Jesus is the firstborn among many brethren and that we are brothers? Can we not appreciate our distinctive groups and trust that God is working in each and everyone of us to reach out to a hurting world? Jesus Christ is the Great Unifier. He alone stands as the Mediator between God and man. He is the source of our salvation, our faith, and our unity. For us to place emphasis upon anything else is to set ourselves up for failure.

How beautiful and pleasant it is for the brethren to dwell together in unity. In Christ this is possible. Consider this an invitation. By all means have your beliefs. Be willing to hold fast to your convictions. But somewhere along the way we have to see that our family is much bigger than our denomination, our proclamation of doctrinal purity, and our particular brand of Christianity. In the same way that our Father has chosen to bring together every tribe, tongue, and nation in Christ; He will also bring every denomination, every doctrinal difference, and every division together in Christ. At least...that's what I think.

Enjoy the journey!