Unity...what is it?

[JDavis]

There has been talk lately about a lack of unity in the body of Christ.

 

Just what does this "unity" people are searching for look like?

 

Lets use this forum as an example.

 

For the most part we agree on the most basic fundamentals of Christianity.  

 

This is from this boards Statement of Faith. 

 

We believe in God, the almighty creator of heaven and earth.

We believe in the triunity of God. We believe that God is eternally One, and also eternally the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit — the three being distinct, but not separate. Each Person of the Godhead coexists from everlasting to everlasting.

We believe in the Messiah, Jesus, God’s only begotten son, God come in the flesh. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate. He was crucified, died and buried. On the third day, He rose again. Soon afterward He ascended into heaven. Now He is seated at the right hand of the Father and He will return to judge both the living and the dead and reign for evermore.

We believe all mankind are sinful and are therefore subject to God’s wrath and condemnation.

We believe that everyone is in need of God’s salvation.

We believe that salvation is a gift received by faith alone, in Messiah alone, and is expressed in the individual’s recognition and repentance of sin, and the acceptance of the risen Messiah as Saviour, Lord and God.

We believe in the supreme Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow.

 

These things are rarely up for debate and I feel comfortable saying that we have unity on these things.

 

 

After the fundamentals above things get a bit more debatable...

 

We have a 21 page thread on breast feeding that got very heated for a time and there is still no consensus on what the actions of the mother should be.

We have on going threads dealing with the age of the universe, a discussion that has been going on for 2000 plus years and still no consensus.

There is strong and often heated debate on the nature of salvation between the views of the OSAS and those that feel you can lose your salvation.

We have disagreement about whether you should use a bible on your cell phone or not in church.

There is strong and often heated debate on items of a political nature.

 

So, is agreeing on the things at the top enough to consider us "united" or do we have to agree on all things? 

 

How do we decide who is right on the issues above?  People on all sides have passages and verses to support their views for the most part.

 

How much do we have to agree on for people to feel better about our "unity"?

[~candice~]

Great question

 

I think we should celebrate the unity we do have. And we have a lot. So long as we focus on "Christ and Him crucified".

[desi2007]

Unity is so important with fellowship, a church family, being grounded in knowledge of Gods truth. Coming

together and learning. We ALL need uplifting.

1corinthians 1:10

Now I exort you, brethren by the name of our Lord

Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no

divisions among you, but that you be made complete

in the same mind and in same judgment.

[Guest]

Jesus~!

 

Our Joy

And Our Hope

And The Talk Of Our Town

[GoldenEagle]

So, is agreeing on the things at the top enough to consider us "united" or do we have to agree on all things? 

 

How do we decide who is right on the issues above?  People on all sides have passages and verses to support their views for the most part.

 

How much do we have to agree on for people to feel better about our "unity"?

 

Perhaps these are good suggestions...

 

A. Refocus on things that encourage peace.

B. Remember that sabotaging saints hurts God’s work.

C. Refuse to play God in anyone’s life.

[The_Patriot21]

we don't have to be in 100% agreement to be a united front.  To many times, people let little things that arnt core values, come between people, but the reality of it is, two people can disagree with something-and still be united. For an example here-Im going to pick on someone in this thread, Ive known candice on here for some time. We don't agree on several of the smaller items-such as gun control, and age of the earth. However, I still have a great deal of respect for her-she is a very Godly woman, and I value her opinion and advice when given-even if we disagree on some issues. Its that underlying respect, that allows that to be possible. If that inner respect is there between a group of people, between each other, then what they disagree on doesn't really matter because no matter how much they debate, and argue with each over over something, at the end of the day, they will still have each others backs at the end of the day. The secret, is respect.

[Willa]

You shall know that they are Christians if they have love for one another.

I think most of us agree on the basic doctrines of our faith listed above. Other things really don't matter much. I hate to get involved in some of the controversial issues. Most people have their minds made up and won't budge, anyhow. But occasionally I put in my 2 cents.

I do disagree slightly with the salvation issue. The verse says we are saved by GRACE through faith. But that is a small detail. Yet I am so thankful for God's unmerited favor. However, I still hear people insist that works are necessary for salvation instead of a byproduct of salvation.

So if we enter the other discussions, we should have the first part firmly in our minds. These people are truly our brothers and sisters and I love them deeply. I just need to convey that in such a way that the people I disagree with are also convinced of my love for them, and that unbelievers also are convinced of God's love for them should I reply to them. But there are times that I fail.

For instance, I can't understand why people fail to understand that a mother's first responsibiling is to the needs of her helpless screaming infant, whether it is to change a diaper to prevent a painful rash, or if it is to feed it as soon and as appropriately as possible. Yes, we should do so with a sense of propriety, but God has entrusted that life to us to care for and to nurture in love. It is a fact that even helps us to understand God's loving care for us. While we need to be mindful of and have a concern for others, the care for that helpless infant remains our first and instinctive priority. Since your brought it up.