On unity and divisiveness

Unity

A friend of mine said, “I have a conviction that a country will never be greater than her churches. And what is worse, the lack of unity in our country or the lack of unity in her churches?”

I disagree. The churches are not America’s hope! The Church is—the true body of Christ, the remnant scattered abroad that has made Jesus Lord in more than their theology, but in their praxis.

I say that what we need is not more unity, but some good church splits! We have become the Revelations 3 church and those of us who are not lukewarm need to burn white hot without apology to the mainstream. We need a few more John the Baptist types (consider—could you be one?) that don’t mind taking on the hypocritical religious establishment that is worried more about appearance than it is about purity.

Divisiveness

Then there’s the other side of the coin. Aren’t you tired of Christians who can’t get along? More concerned with being right or exercising control, they produce bad fruit. Many Christian leaders are this way—they are so concerned with sound doctrine that they forget the foundation of love and peace from which all doctrine springs.

My mom told me about how their church split because the youth pastor and pastor couldn’t get along. What a mess! What kind of example does that show to the world? It does great damage, sowing the seed of rebellion.

Jesus’ kingdom looked exactly opposite. It was built on giving, forgiving, and sacrifice. He called us to be ministers of reconciliation, for goodness sakes. If we as Christian leaders can’t find a place of unity, how in the world will we ever reconcile nonbelievers to God? It begins with the doctrine of peace we articulate with our lives.

“But avoid foolish controversies…and arguments…because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.”