Locking Arms: Unity in the Body

One of the most remarkable things about these verses is what they don’t say. Nowhere in this passage does Paul mention any denominational affiliation. He doesn’t endorse the Baptists over the Presbyterians or the Methodists over the Assemblies of God. In Christ we are one body united by one Spirit. He doesn’t even tell us we have to agree on everything. The only point Paul emphasizes is who we are in Christ. This passage of scripture is for those of us called by Father God in the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, and it is because of Him and through His enabling that we are to walk in a worthy manner, representing Him with all humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance for one another in love.

Isn’t it interesting that Paul mentions tolerance! Even in those days there were different factions of believers, each with their own ideas of what living the Christian life was supposed to look like. Things haven’t changed all that much, really, in two thousand years. We still have our different factions and our different perceptions of what appropriate worship styles are, about social issues and even how to interpret certain passages of scripture – things that can be very divisive indeed. And sometimes, honestly, we aren’t very tolerant with each other’s different beliefs, are we? Paul doesn’t tell us here we have to agree with one another… Our responsibility is simply to be humble, gentle, patient, and tolerant with one another…in His love.

But the idea Paul is driving home here is that because we are one in Christ we should behave that way. In Mark 3:24 Jesus says, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” We who are called by His name comprise the kingdom of God here on earth, and as such we all serve the same God and Father who lives in us all. But if we allow doctrine or dress or worship style to divide us, we are not acting in a manner worthy of Christ. As long as our doctrine of salvation lines up with scripture, the rest is simply not worth bringing down the kingdom of God.

Instead of segregating ourselves by adhering to labels for this denomination or that denomination, we should be locking arms together, combining forces to fight for the chosen flock of God and against our common foe – being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. When we accomplish that, no kingdom will be able to stand against us and our God will accomplish mighty things through us!

All Scripture NASB unless otherwise noted.