Our culture continues to become more reactive, divided, and anxious, but believers have an antidote to this confusion: We can be anchored in Christ and grounded in God’s word. This is not an intellectual exercise — we are created to function best as we stay in step with Jesus and live out our faith. This antidote requires that we live in unity with other believers:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
I Corinthians 12:12-14
I don’t know about you, but when I hear the word “unity” used in a religious context, I start to pay close attention. Misguided calls for “unity” can lead to outcomes that range from the ridiculous to the tragic. I have heard of church splits over some strange issues, including the right of women to wear culottes. (I say no to culottes, but on aesthetic, not religious, grounds!) Successful cults inspire high levels of unity, but lead to disaster. Before pledging allegiance, a person has to know the legitimacy of what they’re getting on board with.
People are messy: so for churches, finding unity isn’t easy. Fortunately, we have guidelines to help us succeed!!
Creeds
Believers can look to Creeds to find the core statements that define our faith. Over the centuries, numerous Christian creeds have been written; the two that have become the most prominent and widely held are The Apostles’ Creed and The Nicene Creed. Here’s a list of “The Top Thirteen Christian Creeds” — this document is very interesting because it gives a little explanation and background on each.
The Top 13 Christian Creeds: Origins, Contents, & Importance
The Law of Love
The Bible is a long and complex book. Anyone can read it, but Christians have special guidance of the Holy Spirit for the ability to understand scripture (especially as we study with other believers). At the same time, it’s entirely possible to “cherry pick” sections or ideas from it. It’s easy to go off on tangents. Fortunately, Jesus boiled down the Ten Commandments into the essence of what following Him entails:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
I love how Jesus makes His requirements so easy to understand. It takes a lifetime of work to learn his ways, but the direction He sets in His Word is quite clear. Love is the bottom line.
Application
What news sources, Christian programming, and books are important in your life? Step back and filter them through the apostles’ creed and the law of love.
- Do these sources promote love and kindness?
- Do they promote rational thinking and deliberation?
Or do they instigate hate, bias, and conflict? - Do they skim the surface of life and come to shallow conclusions?
- Do they make you want to reach out to your neighbors in love,
or do they make you more suspicious?
We need to be aware of what we’re taking in, as so much information is designed to get us to react. Meditate on the core beliefs of the Christian faith. Ask God to help you put a priority on what’s important in His Kingdom. Ask Him to help you grow in ways that support Christian unity.
by Sherry Sommer
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