The Heartbeat of Christian Fellowship

In the intricate quilt of a local church, unity threads its way through the very heart of a Christian community. The words of King Jesus fervently prayed for the unity of His saints. They emphasized its deep importance (John 17:20-21). David, too, painted a vivid picture of the blessings of unity in Psalm 133, extolling its goodness and pleasantness.

Yet, the ominous shadow of division always lurks, fueled by negative attitudes and false doctrines, demanding our sincere attention. We should begin with the indispensable attitudes underpinning Biblical oneness to foster unity.

Five Essential Attitudes for Unity (Ephesians 4:1-3)

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1–3, ESV)

1. Humility (tapeinophrosunē): Esteeming ourselves small, humility stands in stark contrast to the divisive force of pride (Prov. 13:10). Jesus Himself condemned the desire for chief positions among the Jews, urging a humble perspective (Matt. 23:5-11).
2. Gentleness (prautēs): When demonstrated through patient submissiveness, Gentleness fosters a yielding disposition, countering self-serving strife (Phil. 2:3). This quality is akin to receiving the engrafted word with humility (James 1:21), showing a willingness to yield to the teachings of God.
3. Patience (makrothumia): Patience, a sense of level calm, stands against the condemnation of a hasty spirit (Prov. 14:29; James 1:19). In conflicts among the saints, cultivating a long-tempered spirit becomes crucial to avoid quick temper flares.
4. Bearing with one another in love: Exercising patience until provocation passes showcases how love amid conflicts is vital in various aspects of life, including the local church. This attitude reflects a commitment to bear with one another in the face of provocation, mirroring Christ’s sacrificial love (John 13:1-17).
5. Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit: Maintaining the unity revealed by the Spirit requires intentional effort, emphasizing the need for self-sacrificing love. This involves relinquishing personal rights for brethren’s sake, mirroring Paul’s sacrifice for the Corinthians (1 Cor. 8-10).

Attitudes Corrosive to Bible Unity

• A compromising spirit, akin to a “reed shaken in the wind” (Matt. 11:7), sells out the truth for peace.
• Domineering individuals pursue their way without regard for others.
• Passive observers allow sinful behavior to go unaddressed, in contrast to the boldness displayed by Paul in Galatians 2:11-14.

How Division Occurs

“idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,” (Galatians 5:20, ESV)

• Strife (eritheia): Selfish ambition and partisan rivalry.
• Sedition (dichostasia): The state of division with internal feuds but a shared physical space.
• Heresies (hairesis): Complete division.

This division process is illustrated through the progressive degradation of a once harmonious whole. We should be particularly concerned during leadership changes, emphasizing the need for the right attitudes in transition. The prevalence of sinful attitudes hinders the peace and harmony within a church community.

As Christians, the call to maturity echoes through the corridors of the local church, urging us to learn to work together as one cohesive body. This maturity involves cultivating a unity grounded in the principles revealed by the Spirit, transcending personal ambitions for the greater good of the entire Christian community. May we heed this call, working towards a harmonious fellowship that reflects the spirit of Christ’s teachings.

‌~PW 🌮🛶