DAY 23: BIBLICAL UNITY IS NOT UNIFORMITY

DAY 23: BIBLICAL UNITY IS NOT UNIFORMITY

SCRIPTURE:

¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:17-20

OBSERVATION:

God made each one of us different. Some are tall, some are short. Some are fair and some are dark. Some are fast and some take their time. Some like water while some like wine.

In this Scripture, Paul emphasizes that biblical unity is not uniformity. It does not mean everyone doing the same thing. However, it means everyone following the same Lord, with the same purpose of serving and honoring and glorifying the Lord Jesus. In every church, different members perform different functions. Some functions are in the forefront like worship leading and preaching while others support in other ways such as ushering, arranging chairs, preparing the Communion elements, or even giving quietly to the finances of the church. Each one have their own strengths and purposes, and each one combined is the body of Christ in the church.

Across churches likewise, each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Brethrens are traditionally strong in the Word. Charismatics may be strong in the gifts of the Spirit. Some churches may be strong in community works, or special ministries to foreigners or children’s ministry. There are theological differences, but when we come together, we need to ultimately focus on the core issues and pray together in unity for God’s favor on the nation, for God helping each individual to grow deeper in Him, for strength and faithfulness in reaching out to the lost. 

Our mindset is important here, to look at our brothers and sisters from different backgrounds as being parts of the same body, and pray for God’s blessing and sustenance throughout. Where one part suffers, the rest suffer along.

APPLICATION:

Make it a point to set aside prejudice against Christians of different denominations, but encourage each other to focus on Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, trusting in Him to help us in all things, and to help us do God’s will for our lives. Ask the Lord to help us see each other as part of the same body, the same family. Be humble and gentle with each other, and encourage each other in our core faith in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER:

We thank You, precious Father, that You made each of us different because You love diversity, and have created such beauty in diversity. Teach us, Lord, to set aside our prejudice and to really view each other as being of the same family, and same body. Bring us together, Lord, from various creeds and denominations to seek You together as one voice. Please bless our nation we pray. In Jesus name, Amen.