Gospel Unity

This week, I find myself on the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School campus for a conference on intergenerational ministry. We are partnering with eleven other churches to learn how we can bridge the differences within our congregation for unity rather than division. Cultural differences easily divide. It’s so much easier to relate to the familiar. We see this principle not only in our churches but the broader culture with the tension between ethnic and socioeconomic disparities quite evident. In this way, division abounds.

Is there any hope to address this? As history reveals, human effort will fail. We need a resource beyond ourselves. And we find this resource in the gospel of Jesus. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:13-14,

“13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”

If there’s any place that should reflect unity among differences, it is the church. Because the very purpose of the church is to proclaim and live out the gospel as disciples of Jesus. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus reconciled us to God by His perfect life lived in His incarnation and the perfect price paid for the punishment of sin on the cross for anyone who will place their faith in Him. Furthermore, the gospel reconciles us to each other in Christ. Believers, no matter their culture, socioeconomic background, education or physical appearance can detract from the truth that Jesus brought us together as family. In the church, we experience gospel unity with one another. I pray that we will realize this more and more. And that we will live it out for the world to see. Differences don’t have to divide because of Jesus. All glory to His Name!