Unity in Diversity?
“Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns. And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.”
On Sunday, while teaching through chapters 11 and 12 of Nehemiah (see above verse) we came across a portion that portrayed the value a spiritual community having a variety of members.
Within God’s people, diversity and unity can coexist peacefully as they keep their eyes on Jesus.
How has this been for you over the last months?
We are all essential, quite different, and serve in different functions. Wouldn’t it be sad if we only valued people based on one gifting, personality type, or historical or social background?
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves[d] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
For the body does not consist of one member but of many.”
We then reviewed 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (see verse) in the epistles.
This verse highlights the importance and reality of different parts of the church community as images of different parts of the human body. The whole body is needed. We are a holistic representation of Jesus, not one part less valuable, not one part over-valued.
This translates very clearly to modern issues, even ones going on within our own body. When asked about our church’s stance on political issues, covid responses and a few other divisive topics (doesn’t it seem like there are more than ever nowadays??), I give a similar answer.
Yes, we have a variety of opinions, convictions and ideas about these hot topics.
It is important for a church to agree on core convictions (like the person of Christ, the authority of the Bible, the Trinity etc…) but also make room for moderate to lower level issues.
This is tough. In fact at times it is exhausting.
I typically start in a moderate position on topics and then am occasionally moved one direction or the other.
How about you?
How do you handle conversations these days?
Probably pretty carefully, and that takes work.
My encouragement today is this. We all need to begin (and stay) in a position of respect for the other person and their opinion.
We don’t have to agree with another’s opinion, but we ought to be able to verbalize it back to them at their satisfaction.
Just saying, “I believe this is what you are saying (fill-in the blank with the other perspective) … is that correct?” can go a long way in showing love and respect towards others.
Our witness as Christians both inside and outside of the church depends on this.
I know it can be hard work and we’re all tired of conflict, especially in conversation.
So let me encourage you to continue to depend on the Lord for energy, (the joy of the Lord is our strength) wisdom and compassion.
