How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting. (Psalm 133 NLT)
What do you do when different members of the Body of Christ universal are not in agreement? Since the Reformation that began in the 1500’s strong doctrinal differences have developed among the many streams of the Church, but, at their core, each believed that Jesus was the Christ, sent to redeem us from our sins so we could live with him in eternity. It used to be that we could say that if we agree on the essentials we can agree to disagree on the non-essentials. For instance, if we can agree that the tenets set forth in the Apostles’ Creed are true for all Christians, then we can probably agree to disagree as to whether baptism by sprinkling or immersion is the better option.
On one hand, it makes sense to have a core of non-negotiable beliefs (“boundaries”) that tie us together under the name of Christ. On the other hand, within those boundaries are many, many beautiful, genuine, and faithful followers of Jesus who may approach faith differently. What do we do about this?
Jesus prayed.
I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! (John 17:22-24 NLT)
So should we.
In these Last Days we have been warned that brother will war against brother – and that’s not just within the family. We the Church must hold fast to the essential tenants of our faith and intentionally seek unity in our shared purpose. We may disagree as to whether only hymns or only contemporary songs should be sung. We may disagree on whether women should preach, teach, or be ordained into ministry. We may disagree on certain approaches to human sexuality. We may disagree on whether traditional church models or the five-fold ministry is the best structure to lead a church. But we must stand together for the Gospel.
If and when we seek the Lord’s leading, he will sort out the rest. He will never go against his pure, righteous, and holy nature, but he will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, call us his people, to a deeper level of commitment, love, faithfulness and service. That sorting out may look nothing like we had anticipated – God has ways of surprising us!! – but it will all be according to his purposes and plans. In these last days, it’s “all hands on deck” to make disciples of all nations. “ALL” means “all,” so let us pray for unity in the Spirit.
Holy Spirit,
Lord, may your Church be united, so that the world will believe you have sent us. Let us behold the glory you gave to Jesus—the glory born of your love for him before the world began. We ask that you increase unity among the many diverse streams of your Church today. Give us hearts that genuinely love one another, so that our love becomes visible and compelling to those who have yet to believe. Purify your people and your Church for this moment in time. Help us live in the harmony and blessing you desire for us. Pour out your Spirit on your Church. Let there be revival, renewal, reformation, and a fresh ignition of Pentecostal fire—one that transforms individuals, communities, and even nations. We ask all of this in Jesus’s name. Amen.
A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:21-22 NLT)