Have you ever attended a meeting in which an issue desperately needed to be discussed? But, for some reason, the cause of greatest consternation and turbulence was taboo. All of the participants sit at the table avoiding the one issue that weighs most heavily on their hearts. This “elephant in the room” is an obvious distraction, but no one will acknowledge its existence.
Does such an issue exist for the Church? There are many challenges for the Church today, but there is one that seems most troublesome to me. The issue is the unity of the Body of Christ. As I have talked to my brothers and sisters about the divisions that exist, they seem quite satisfied that this is the way God intended for things to be. Despite this common view, the Scriptures teach quite clearly that unity is not an option for the family of faith. 1 Corinthians 1:10 states, “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” This teaching does not seem ambiguous in the least. Yet, when I ask cherished Christian friends if the various denominations are within God’s plan for His church, they often respond, “Yes. We are separate because we do not agree with others in: Scriptural interpretation, Church polity, the sacraments/ordinances, administration of missions, etc.” There seems to be a certain satisfaction at ecclesial segregation. But the words, let there be “no divisions among you,” come rushing back condemning our smugness at what is an obvious departure from God’s intent.
Ephesians 4:4-6 contains seven statements concerning the unity of the Church. Paul writes that, “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 us all, who is above all and through all and in all.” Do these non-negotiable statements of fact compel us to seek unity with our brothers and sisters in the faith?
Last week the choirs from Anchor Baptist Church and Tates Creek Presbyterian Church joined forces to sing at the memorial service for a young marine who heroically lost his life defending the country he loved. The singers had thirty minutes to work together in preparation for the service. Given this common purpose around which to agree, those whose understanding of baptism and predestination differ so dramatically were able to overcome divergent views. Their voices blended into a symphony of sound that honored the Lord and showed us all what the Church could look and sound like.
Ephesians 4:1 begins with Paul begging believers to, “lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Last Saturday this truth was lived by two choirs who became one. What is the cause that might unite the family of faith now so divided? Jesus shares the transcendent cause for unity in His "High Priestly Prayer." John 17:20 and following record Jesus as saying, "I pray...for those who believe in me...that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in me and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
Is this a real concern? Can you see the elephant?
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4 comments:
My trusted friend Jerry responded via e-mail. His comments, as always, are insightful and add much to the conversation.
The Elephant In The Room
+I like your metaphor. Everyone likes to visit an elephant, no one
really would want to own one. Everyone talks about unity, but few are willing to come under the discipline of what that means.
+Your point is well taken and well expressed and your illustration is
good. You clearly don't have time to suggest what to do about this--
maybe in another blog or series.
+It seems that efforts to impose or create unity from the outside have failed. Whether it be confessional, creedal,ecumenical,
denominational, missionary, evangelism, etc., have failed to live up to Biblical expectations because they are essentially a process of reducing things to the lowest common denominator.
+It seems to me that unity has to start "where two are three are
gathered." If they can get it right, it should move to the local
assembly of believers. If the local assembly can get it right, which is real work, they will be of a heart and mind to relate to other believers the way they ought to.
A.W. Tozer said something like this: Hearts illuminated by the Holy Spirit will agree at the point where the light falls." Unity that is rooted and grounded in Christ will do and be what Christ desired for his covenant people. I suspect that efforts beyond that, creedal, structural, etc., may not succeed because He has no desire to see them succeed.
Peace,
Jerry
I meet with a group of ladies one night per week. We represent four quite varied denominations and are open to others who wish to study God's Word with us. Although we are not Bible Study Fellowship, we operate under similar guidelines in that, there is no need nor desire to discuss our differences. We choose specific studies, we love and pray for each other. We are the "Body of Christ" with skin on.
Having been reared in a liturgical denomination, born again in a charismatic denomination, mentored and matured in a fundamental/evangelical denomination, and am now in a different evangelical denomination, I have little interest in the differences as much as I have in those basics on which we agree.
Thanks Barbara. I know you went the extra mile to post your comment. I will be praying for you and yours.
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