Be In Agreement

 

I used to love to watch the old game shows. Some of the shows had a basic premise that the contestants had to agree on an answer in order to win. I remember watching the Newlywed Game and seeing couples argue about whose answer was correct. Most of the time I could tell that the arguments were mostly in fun but sometimes I’d watch a couple and wonder whether their marriage would last.

 

Paul wrote to the Philippians, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Philippians 2:1-2).  Paul admonished the Corinthians, “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. There are quarrels among you…..One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ’ “ (1 Corinthians 1:10-12).

 

Paul saw the damage that divisions were doing to the early Church and felt it necessary to preach about it. He reminded them that they were supposed to be united and that their arguments made a bad impression on other believers and nonbelievers.

 

There are many divisions between and within denominations at this time. Many of these divisions have occurred for good cause. Although Jesus desires that we be one Body in Him, He still can use us as long as we have “the same love, being one in spirit and purpose”.  God is still able to work in the Church despite its divisions. Paul wrote, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).  Different people may be drawn to different churches based upon their individual beliefs and personalities. We should rejoice whenever someone comes to God and finds a good church home, regardless of whether he or she belongs to our congregation or denomination.

 

God is lifted up when congregations come together in their community to do His work and witness to His love and care. By doing this, they give witness to their common faith and purpose so that the world around them focuses on their love and message and not their differences.

 

In a world that is increasingly drawing away from God and from the Church, we need to come together in unity to bring God’s light to the world, respecting our differences but emphasizing our common faith. Let’s pray for healing and a spirit of ecumenism in the Church today that we might better do the work that Jesus calls us to do.