Dwindling Commonality
No matter the setting today, the divisions in our communities are so glaring that what consumes much of our conversation is how we are to mend this growing divide. One of the most common solutions provided by pastors, political commentators, and anyone who is looked to for a solution is to focus on what we have in common.
It seems like a good fix, right? We’re not going to argue so much if we’re mostly talking about the things we agree upon. This popular proposal to the issue of division has been playing out for many years now (my entire lifetime), and the actual result is that, over time, the topics that can be discussed just kept getting fewer and fewer! We walk on more and more egg shells.
Perhaps the most extreme case of this within the church is how Christmas went from a time when everyone spoke of joy to even Christian radio stations playing mournful songs and talking about how this time of year can be “particularly hard” on some because of the loss of a loved one. Be careful celebrating the incarnation of God because someone may have experienced a loss similar to those experienced by many throughout the year. Along that same track, those excited for their pregnancy are warned to be cautious about discussing it because others may be struggling with infertility or even just be opposed to childbearing over environmental concerns.
Instead of this strategy resulting in people growing more and more close to each other, we become more divided. Everything we previously may have taken for granted was shared could be destroyed by a single person who disagrees because we must all avoid discussing that common bond now that it is no longer entirely common.
Biblical Unity
The idea of only discussing what we had in common was primarily concerned with respecting individual objections. However, the Biblical method of unity is to encourage corporate agreement rather than focusing primarily upon the opposition coming from individuals.
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10
But how can this be done without tyranny? Instead of a respect for diversity of individuals, Christians are encouraged to pursue conformity to a single individual. That individual is Christ.
In fact, the primary purpose of spiritual gifts given in Ephesians 4 (starting verse 11) is to attain “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”. As we all become more like Christ, we all come to hold more in common.
Obviously, the more we pursue conformity to this individual we distance ourselves from those who are opposed to Christ. Universal human commonality will never be possible. If we wish to have the type of unity which the creator of the universe intended we do so by cultivating a like-mindedness which comes from being of one mind with him.
This does not mean our lives will have no conflict. In many cases, this is likely to result in greater conflict! As believers come together in agreement and work together as we ought, those who oppose Christ will become more belligerent in their objections. Rather than those objections shattering the unity believers share, it should strengthen it. Instead of a fear of “othering” those who oppose Christ, we should celebrate those who once opposed Christ and now seek unity in him by being of one body with one another.
This means never rejecting any who repent no matter how grievous their former life or even how uncertain their sincerity. However, it does not mean in any way seeking some form of common ground with those who are openly servants to sin and opponents to Christ.
Unity in Seperation
This means, in some sense, that our unity will be found primarily in our division. Rather than taking part in a type of faux unity with all of humanity by remaining as superficial as possible and only discussing those things we believe we can agree upon with everyone around us, we are to cultivate a strong bond with fellow believers pursuing the God who, above all else in life, seems most offensive to those who are perishing.
We are at a bit of a crossroads in the American Church, many are trying to balance conformity with the world and conformity with Christ so that we can be at peace with everyone. However, this practice keeps us from the type of unity we are commanded to have and never really allows us to have the type of unity we seek either.
Instead of pursuing universal agreement with all of humanity, we must pursue agreement with God and in the process we will find agreement with one another as well.
