Hungry for God: United We Stand

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”—Mark 3:24-25.

As a body of Christ, one of our greatest tools for evangelism is our unity. As Jesus said,

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me”—John 17:20-21.

The problem we have is that we are not unified but are perpetually fragmented. We are guilty of tribalism—trading verbal barbs and condemnatory labels of heresy to those who are clearly within orthodoxy. We must trade our sectarianism and propensity to schism for orthodox inclusion that seeks unity in diversity. Jim Belcher, in his book, Deep Church, describes a different way of looking at the divisions within Christianity. Noting Robert Greer, he posits looking at Christianity in two tiers which,

“…divides the essentials of orthodoxy from the particularities of differing traditions within the boundaries of orthodoxy. The top tier matches the creeds of the early church that have historically and universally defined orthodoxy. The bottom tier corresponds to the distinctives of each individual church body.

This two-tiered system has a number of practical benefits. First, it minimizes, says Greer, triumphalism or denominational chauvinism. When the top tier is agreed upon, the various parties mutually trust and respect each other as orthodox. Then discussions that deal with bottom tier teachings become opportunities to learn and grow, and not tests of orthodoxy”—Jim Belcher, Deep Church, p. 60.

C.S. Lewis captured the essence of our need for unity in his book, Mere Christianity. Even choosing the title, “Mere Christianity,” was intentional, because he wanted to make sure that he was affirming that which has been “common to nearly all Christians at all times.” He wrote,

“I hope no reader will suppose that ‘mere’ Christianity is here put forward as an alternative to the creeds of existing communions as if a man could adopt it in preference to Congregationalism or Greek Orthodoxy or anything else. It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals.”—C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p. xi.

Belcher, reflecting on Lewis’ words says,

“Of course, the ‘fires and chairs and meals’ are Lewis’s description of the second tier, the separate ecclesial traditions. And they are wonderful places to hang out. The main hall is ‘mere Christianity,’ the Great Tradition, which is common to all. This view allows Christians to agree on essentials but cling to their differences, with humility and charity. We can put our foot down on mere Christianity, the classic, consensual tradition of the gospel, but at the same time hold to our particular traditions as important but less certain than the first tier.”—Jim Belcher, Deep Church, p. 63.

Are we seeking to “maintain the unity of the Spirit bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3)? It is only when we are united that we are truly able to stand against the devil’s schemes and be a true witness to an utterly lost and corrupt world. Let’s seek to enter into the unity Jesus spoke about in John 17 for God’s glory and our joy. Amen.