The Gospel Brings Unity Within Our Diversity
Next Sunday, stop for a moment. Take a good look at the people around you. This is one of the beautiful characteristics of the church; a mix mash of ages, cultures, personalities, education levels, hobbies (etc. etc.), choosing to be together. Very few other spaces in life bring together such diverse people, out of choice. Whilst being beautiful and rare in the world, it can bring discomfort, challenges, or even disunity. There may not be a large divide, but let's consider the more subtle hints of disunity that fester in our hearts. How are we loving those who are different from us? Are we moving towards unity in the body, or overlooking a divide, whether hidden in our hearts or visible in our actions?
So, how do we pursue the unity that Paul writes about in Romans, while living in the reality of diversity. Right out of the starting blocks, Paul hints at the answer in Romans 1:16,
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
Our unity lies in the gospel. There is no hierarchy or division when it comes to the gospel. It is simply, for those who believe. Christ's sacrifice on the cross carried the penalty for our sin, which had separated us from Him, and restored what was broken in our relationship. Through faith, we are welcomed into union with Christ, and we get to enjoy the pleasure of that unity, whilst being freed to pursue unity with one another, no matter how diverse we may be. The gospel levels the playing field and reminds us that we are all far more alike than we realise: we are all sinners in need of a saviour.
Let's consider a few encouragements from Romans 12:
1. We pursue unity through humility
“...Not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment.” (12:3)
Christ came humbly. As Phil 2 says, He humbled Himself and emptied Himself. He became nothing, so that we could be rescued from the pit. Reflecting on the gospel reminds us to not think too highly of ourselves. When we elevate ourselves, and in turn look down on others, we cannot enjoy unity. With humble acceptance that we are not the centre of the world, we see others with more grace.
2. We build unity as we use our gifts
“...Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” (12:6)
We have been given gifts by the Lord and they are not our own. As we recognise the unique gifts given to us, may we consider what purpose they were given for, because they are not for our own glory and fulfillment. As we follow in the footsteps of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve, we can joyfully use our gifts to build up the body rather than looking for self fulfilment through our gifts.
3. We enjoy unity through outdoing one another in honour and love
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (12:10)
Jesus gave up His seat in Heaven, His place of glory and honour, to take on flesh and die a humiliating death, out of love for you and me. Yet, what looked like defeat and shame brought about honour and glory, as Acts reminds us, “Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand.” (2:33) We now get to enjoy the love, affection, approval, and delight of the exalted King Jesus. As we live with this kingdom perspective and an identity as God’s royal children, we see one another through new eyes. Christ gave up honour for love, so that we can honour one another in love, as His kingdom children.
As we push into unity and live with lives transformed by the gospel, we get to demonstrate Christ’s glory and a counter cultural community to the watching world. An odd bunch of people, loving and serving one another. We can suffer, serve, and pour out ourselves to have communion with others, no matter how different they are from us, because we have communion with Christ.
I began with the request to look at those around you, but we don't end with looking at those around us and how they can grow in this. We look at our own hearts and we reflect on the gospel for ourselves first. May the power and wonder of the gospel melt away the judgements, discomforts, and difficulties as we are reminded of our unity with Christ. Therefore, be unified.
