Many people, in an attempt seeking to fulfill the scripture of “unity of the body of Christ” found in Ephesians 4, come together and commit to be in agreement. They can agree with their doctrine, dress code, commitment to lead a sinless life, almost anything. The problem is they never find unity. They find a poor imitation of unity; conformity.
People that commit to intimate relationship with God and each other find unity. They live a life founded on God’s love and resulting in family. These people are in the secret place, in unity, where God has bestowed a special blessing.
1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.Psalm 133
The fundamental difference between being in “agreement” versus being in relationship is seen in our interaction with each other. All relationships need open communication in order to be functional and fulfilling. When people are not equally transparent, accessible, and committed to ongoing dialogue, be assured things will grow stagnant quickly.
Conformity leads quickly to not being real and open, but holding back and drowning in stagnation. Unity is fresh and alive because it is founded on love, not agreement. Think of a marriage. It’s absurd to think a husband and wife will always agree. Agreement doesn’t bind them together it’s their commitment to love each other no matter what. Now they have a safe place that they can disagree and work through things because their relationship is not built on their performance or “agreement,” but on an eternal love that can never be broken. There is freedom in love. Freedom to grow, the opposite of stagnation.
Unity, built on love advances the Kingdom, while conformity advances an agenda which results in stagnation and isolation. We are all called into a divine “relationship of grace” with God, and each other. This requires honest, sincere, open communication on our part, not agreement.
Unity or conformity are both fruit of our actions. Be who God made you to be, love, and share your heart. Others will be attracted to the life in you and God will be glorified.
classes. You can tune up the car. But that’s not the problem. You need help to win. This is a picture of the church today. Our Pastors are pouring themselves out to win the race but getting further and further behind because they need help.
hurt, deceived, and bound by darkness. Unfortunately it is not working. The best that gets accomplished is a rag-tag tent that keeps some rain off but does little to shield the raging storms people are seeking shelter from. The character being built by the few faithful trying to erect a shelter with only one post has been honed to a razor sharpness. “Quitting” has long been vanquished in their vocabulary, and I say this as the highest compliment. In the depth of their soul they know a shelter must be in place and somehow, some way, they will build one.