Practicing Unity Within Difference
What holds together the tension of our differences?
All the believers were one in heart and mind.
Acts 4:32
Sometimes the Bible is hard to understand. Other times the thoughts are clear, but they seem impossible to practice. A case in point:
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
I Corinthians 1:10.
No one reads that and thinks, “Right, no problem.” We read it and defeatedly respond, “Yeah, right. No way!”
I get it. It feels out of reach to me too.
But what do we do when something desired is out of reach? We begin a step-by-step process to get there. When we think we want to learn to dance, play an instrument, or play golf, we make small steps in the direction of our vision.
This of course assumes a desire connected to a vision of a preferable future. And that thought raises an enormous question: Do we desire unity? Do we have a vision for it? No progress in church unity will happen until desire and vision are powerfully present among us.
Let’s see if Paul’s words can yield some small steps toward unity.
I appeal to you: The picture here is: I am standing beside you, entreating you, pleading with you. An apostolic appeal is meant to be taken seriously, not brushed off as trivial or unattainable religious idealism. Rather, it suggests something important, something essential, is at stake.
Brothers and sisters: This phrase alerts us to the crucial idea that the most important thing we share together is our relationship with our Father. Once this connection is clear and prioritized, attitudes and behaviors of unity become natural, while deeds of disunity become unthinkable. No one maims something they treasure.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: This is Paul saying: Alert! This is a big deal! Paul is making his appeal based on, and in harmony with, the nature, characteristics, will, and authority of Jesus. Paul makes Jesus the standard and the ruler by which we measure our thoughts and judgments.
That all of you agree with one another in what you say: This is the bit where we are tempted to say, “No way, Paul—come on!” This does not mean that Christians can never disagree. Paul is not calling for the exact same thinking on issues. He is calling for cooperative thinking that moves in the direction of fulfilling Jesus’ teaching about the inbreaking of God’s kingdom. The goal is unity while we work through disagreements.
That there be no divisions among you: In the Corinthian context, division was rooted in factions based on preferences for certain leaders and loyalty to them. This reminds us we are to work against personality-based schisms (political or ecclesial) and to work to hold the body of Christ together.
That you be perfectly united in mind and thought: Connected to the clause above, this is Paul’s direct appeal for unity. In Paul’s time it would have meant: “Hey, historic Jews and Gentile converts (men and women, slaves or free), come into one mind as the new, reimagined, reconstituted people of God.” While there are differences in any group of people, these differences find their true meaning and harmony within the unity of the body of Christ.
Small Steps in a Big Direction
Based on Paul’s appeal, here are some small steps we can take to heal division and pursue unity:
Do a heart inventory. Do you desire and have a vision for unity? If not, wonder why. If so, wonder how to begin.
Notice your perspective. Do you normally think of your church as brothers and sisters from one Father, or Democrats and Republicans, etc.?
Feel the authority. Paul is making an authoritative plea in the name of Jesus. Does Paul’s clear appeal motivate you in a helpful way?
Try to imagine unity within difference. Start with something small. Imagine different preferences from people with good will when thinking about worship or preaching styles. Or imagine the discussions and decisions made by sincere, hardworking parish councils about things like “What time should the second service start?” or “How do we get more volunteers for the children’s ministry?”
Visualize Jesus’ body. The Body of Jesus can hold a lot of variety. Think of the diversity of backgrounds and opinions in Jesus’ first 12 followers: Can you trust the strength of Jesus to hold his Church together even with large differences, no matter how tense?
The invitation of this passage is to get past the groaning of “Oh, come on Paul!” to “Okay, I get it. I’ll take small, consistent steps in the direction of unity.” Little steps, taken in humble obedience, lead to large changes in ourselves, our churches, and the world.