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The Real Source of Unity
While we have been on our blogging break, we’ve enjoyed watching the Olympic Games.
Although there were some occasions of controversy during the Games, they were a nice respite from political bickering, and a steady stream of bad news.
A cliché often repeated was how the Olympic Games “Bring the World Together.” While there were many displays of good sportsmanship and friendly interaction between the competing athletes, do the Olympics really have the power to bring the world together?
Conservative columnist Cal Thomas pointed out that Russia was banned from the Games because of its invasion of Ukraine. China and North Korea sent athletes. Did they bring the world together? They are together when it comes to threatening the U. S., along with Iran and Russia.”
Thomas then offered this insight.
“What divides the world and makes it impossible to come together is the refusal of nations and their leaders to humble themselves before God, to seek His face, and to confess our sins.” “Only Christ can bring humans together with God and with each other.”
While I don’t always agree with Thomas’ theology, he is spot on with that scriptural observation.
In the shadow of the cross Jesus prayed for unity in John 17. After praying for Himself and for the apostles, he prayed for all future disciples.
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (Jn 17:20-21).
Of course to achieve that unity we must accept that Jesus is the only Way, the embodiment of Truth, and means to eternal life with the Father (Jn. 14:6). It also requires an acceptance of His authority, and thus the authority of His revealed Word through the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:18-20; John 17:17; 2Tim. 3:16-17).
However, both history and personal experience sadly reveal that most people will not unify around the Savior and His Word. That fact, calls upon all Believers to work more diligently to be unified. To “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). To practice the “one another commands.” And to demonstrate to the world the love of Christ, as we sincerely show love for one another, which Jesus said would be a distinguishing characteristic of His disciples.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn. 13:34-35).
Brothers and sisters, let’s not allow partisan politics, personal opinions, or individual preferences to divide us. Regardless of our race, ethnicity, social standing, economic status, or party affiliation, we can be “one in Christ.” Let’s not allow our liberty to become a license to hurl insults, question motives, and cast character aspersions on those within our fellowship, either in our personal interactions or social media posts.
In fact, pejorative comments and unkind epithets ought not to be issues toward unbelievers either. The Bible admonishes us, “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col 4:5-6).
We all need a clearer perceptive of what’s really important in life. It’s worth noting that the American hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who is a Believer and won the gold again in the Paris Olympics, offered this insight after the 2020 Games.
“Over the past year of my life, I realized that success is not measured by the amount of money, medals, or followers that you may have, true fulfillment comes from obedience to God.”
Following her most recent gold metal performance Sydney said, “What I have in Christ is far greater than what I have or don’t have in life.”
The world is always going to be the world. Christians must unite in Christ to reflect His glory and share His soul saving message.
