Unity, not Uniformity
by: Gail Tunnell
On what he knew would be his last mortal night on this earth, Jesus prayed for the unity of all believers. After poignantly declaring that his soul was “swallowed up in sorrow to the point of death,” Jesus fervently implored the we, his believers, might “be one as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You” (John 17).
The word “unity” is defined as “oneness.” Jesus prayed for our unity.
In the last few years, believers and non-believers have exhibited deep divisions. An obvious example is politics. I have beloved friends and family on both sides of the Great Divide: devoted Republicans, convicted Democrats. Most are also Christians.
Interestingly, each side often claims the moral high ground. Christian Democrats and Christian Republicans both feel that they support causes most important to Jesus. Sincerity and a desire to do what is right are also mutual characteristics of my diverse friends and family.
How can this be anything but a formula for division? It is difficult to maintain passionately held convictions but discuss them dispassionately. However, passionate discussion easily leads to elevated tempers, and often degenerates into a trading of insults which we’ve all witnessed, maybe even participated in. #social media!
Christians sincerely want to stand up for Jesus. Please do…..But, let’s make sure it’s Jesus we are defending, not our opinions…no matter how passionately we feel about them.
If we cannot sit (literally or metaphorically) on a pew with those who hold differing political thoughts, biblical interpretations, moral applications, social solutions, etc., then we are “canceling out” half of the population on any given issue.
We are going to get very lonely there.
Jesus prayed for unity, not uniformity. A place where people are expected to be uniform and conform to identical positions on all subpoints of methodology or theology is not a healthy church body—it sounds more like a cult. Surely the body of believers for whom Jesus prayed that night should be made up of Jew and Gentile, Democrat and Republican, black, brown, and white, vegetarian and omnivore, labor and union, Yankee and Southerner, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, vaxxer and non-vaxxer, and the list should go on and on. The gospel is good news for everyone, not just the people in my corner on the matter in question.
Also, maybe Christian unity is more meaningful and faith-building when we have to work for it.
It’s not easy. The challenge is deepened by the fact that the only person whose behavior I can semi-control—sometimes even influence—is myself.
Unity is hard. It will never be automatic for our flawed human race; our Lord knew this, hence his prayer in the Garden. It is achieved in part by the mutual submission and deference that Paul clearly outlines in his epistles to those very human first-century believers who struggled as we struggle. It is not natural, but supernatural, a work of the Spirit in us.
May we be one, as They are One.
The word “unity” is defined as “oneness.” Jesus prayed for our unity.
In the last few years, believers and non-believers have exhibited deep divisions. An obvious example is politics. I have beloved friends and family on both sides of the Great Divide: devoted Republicans, convicted Democrats. Most are also Christians.
Interestingly, each side often claims the moral high ground. Christian Democrats and Christian Republicans both feel that they support causes most important to Jesus. Sincerity and a desire to do what is right are also mutual characteristics of my diverse friends and family.
How can this be anything but a formula for division? It is difficult to maintain passionately held convictions but discuss them dispassionately. However, passionate discussion easily leads to elevated tempers, and often degenerates into a trading of insults which we’ve all witnessed, maybe even participated in. #social media!
Christians sincerely want to stand up for Jesus. Please do…..But, let’s make sure it’s Jesus we are defending, not our opinions…no matter how passionately we feel about them.
If we cannot sit (literally or metaphorically) on a pew with those who hold differing political thoughts, biblical interpretations, moral applications, social solutions, etc., then we are “canceling out” half of the population on any given issue.
We are going to get very lonely there.
Jesus prayed for unity, not uniformity. A place where people are expected to be uniform and conform to identical positions on all subpoints of methodology or theology is not a healthy church body—it sounds more like a cult. Surely the body of believers for whom Jesus prayed that night should be made up of Jew and Gentile, Democrat and Republican, black, brown, and white, vegetarian and omnivore, labor and union, Yankee and Southerner, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, vaxxer and non-vaxxer, and the list should go on and on. The gospel is good news for everyone, not just the people in my corner on the matter in question.
Also, maybe Christian unity is more meaningful and faith-building when we have to work for it.
It’s not easy. The challenge is deepened by the fact that the only person whose behavior I can semi-control—sometimes even influence—is myself.
Unity is hard. It will never be automatic for our flawed human race; our Lord knew this, hence his prayer in the Garden. It is achieved in part by the mutual submission and deference that Paul clearly outlines in his epistles to those very human first-century believers who struggled as we struggle. It is not natural, but supernatural, a work of the Spirit in us.
May we be one, as They are One.
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3 Comments
Excellent. I needed to hear this. Good job Gail!!
Amen on all points Gail!! Thank you for this message.
Thank you for taking the time to write this. I needed this in my life.