Arguing For Unity

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3: 26-28

I love this text because it describes that, while we are from a variety of backgrounds, we are all children of God through faith in Jesus.  If we concentrate on the different backgrounds in this text, we will see all kinds of ways to fight, argue, and hurt each other. Jews and Gentiles see the world in categorically different ways. Slave and free see the world in categorically different ways. Men and women see the world in categorically different ways. In our world, republicans and democrats see the world in different ways.  Millennials and boomers see the world in different ways. Upper and middle/lower class see the world in different ways.

Yet, the text says we can be one in Christ Jesus. So, what is it that Christ Jesus gives that can unify people from all walks of life?

A sense of mission: Paul’s hope is that the Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female are on the same page when it comes to mission. To make the name of Jesus known, celebrated, and believed.  This mission is most important.

A sense of love: I may disagree with you in some profound ways, but I am always called to love you. This love must be patient, kind, and pure. I may advocate for a specific position but above that is my higher calling to advocate for love.

A sense of grace: It has become really easy for us to hurt each other. I can say terrible things about the other side and not even have to look at them thanks to social media.  Grace reminds me to forgive you. Grace urges me to moderate my tone.  Grace pleads with me to build relationships.

Our world is broken in some profound ways. We have chosen to focus on what separates us rather than what unites us. We have chosen to win rather than love. We have chosen to point rather than embrace.

May the church of Jesus Christ never fall into this trap. May the mission of Christ motivate us. May the love of Christ compel us. May the grace of Christ encourage us. While this world may choose to argue, fight, and win, may the kingdom of God be a beacon and example of what in Christ truly looks like.