Across the landscape of our country church buildings are sitting empty. Churches, which once hosted vibrantly singing worshippers, weddings, and baptisms now have grass growing high all around them, broken stained glass, or have been turned into apartments or businesses.

The question is, how did we get here? One reason is surely that some churches had a time of great division. There are times when there is proper division. If someone gives up the basics of the gospel then there needs to be a time of separation.

Too many times people have divided over secondary or tertiary matters. While everything matters in the kingdom of God, some things surely do not carry as much weight as other things. So, churches have divided over styles of music, dress codes, and other things that have no eternal impact on the people of the church.

Staying Unified

How do churches then stay united? The apostle Paul addresses the issue in Ephesians 4:1-7. First, He tells us that we need to remember that we have the same Spirit (verse 3). That is capital “S” referring to the Holy Spirit. If we are each brothers and sisters in Christ, we have the same Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us. Therefore, we should be able to get along as kindred spirits.

Second, he calls us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” (verse 1). Walk is another way of saying to live your Christian life in a way that is worthy of what God has called you to. He elaborates on ways to do that in the next verse. He says be humble, gentle, patient, and bear with one another in love. If everyone in a church is living in a way that honors Christ, we will stay united. 

Third, he reminds us that we are one in Christ. He goes through a list of ways we are one together. In there he says we have “one Lord” (verse 5). In other words, we are one in Jesus Christ. He is reminding us that the same blood that was shed for me was shed for the other believers in my church. That person was purchased with expensive blood. I should not divide from someone God has spent so much for.

That being said, notice that they are one because they are in Christ with me. I can’t be one with a Muslim or a Buddhist. They are not in Christ with me. I must be one with those who have been saved in Christ and are in the same family of God with me.

Lastly, we do this by giving each other grace. We give grace because grace was given to us (verse 7). Grace means receiving something you do not deserve. Every Christian who has salvation has been given something they have not earned or deserved. Because we have been given grace, we can be gracious to others. Because we have been forgiven, we can forgive others (verse 32).

Think About It

Are you maintaining unity with those in your church? Who do you need to work on giving grace to? Are you walking in a manner worthy of your calling? Do you take unity seriously?

Thanks for taking time to read this Maddening Theology post. If you enjoyed this content you can find Pastor Tim’s sermons at www.cornerstoneforestcity.org. You can also join us at 520 Marion St. Browndale, PA 18421 on Sundays at 10 AM. To make following the blog easier you can also register. You can also join us on Facebook at Cornerstone Forest City. Also, don’t forget to download our APP on iTunes  or Googleplay.