Unity is far more than just agreeing to disagree. In fact, it is a quality that is constantly threatened by jealousy, fear, and aggression. What can we do about this? In a recent divine service, the Chief Apostle listed a number of antidotes.
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Photo: Horst-Dieter Kämpfer
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Photo: Horst-Dieter Kämpfer
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Photo: Horst-Dieter Kämpfer
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Photo: Horst-Dieter Kämpfer
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Photo: Horst-Dieter Kämpfer
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Photo: Horst-Dieter Kämpfer
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Photo: Horst-Dieter Kämpfer
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Photo: Horst-Dieter Kämpfer
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Photo: Horst-Dieter Kämpfer
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Photo: Horst-Dieter Kämpfer
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Photo: Horst-Dieter Kämpfer
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Photo: Horst-Dieter Kämpfer
“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be likeminded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God” (Romans 15: 5–7). This is the Bible text which Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider used for the divine service in Berlin (Germany) on 8 January.
“The unity of the children of God is not built on long discussions and compromises,” the Chief Apostle made clear. “On the contrary, it arises from the recognition and the experience of the glory of God.” This does not mean, however, that there should be no more differences. “The congregation of Christ will continue to be diverse.” But out of love we can be one in spite of our differences.
Otherness – The love of God is for all
One of the dangers for unity is that we are bothered by someone else’s otherness, the Chief Apostle said. This is something we need to be aware of. “God loves my neighbour as he is, even if he is completely different from me. God loves him as much as He loves me, even if he is completely different.”
Jealousy – The love of God has eternal criteria
“In our earthly lives, gifts are distributed variously.” This could easily result in jealousy: “Why is he healthy and I am sick. Why is he rich and I have so little.” The Chief Apostle said that we cannot measure the love of God using earthly criteria. “He is leading me into fellowship with Him. Our joy will be so great then that earthly things lose all their value.”
Discrimination – The love of God is inexhaustible
“When it comes to inheritance, family unity is typically in danger because everyone fears getting a raw deal,” Chief Apostle Schneider said. In God’s family no one has to worry about being disadvantaged. “God can give everybody everything. Even if He gives my neighbour everything, I will not miss out. I can still receive everything.”
Competition – Grace cannot be earned
Our battle of faith is not a competition where one wins and the other loses. We can all win. There is no such thing as competition in God’s work. The salvation that God grants us is a gift of His grace. We cannot earn it. “The works I do are only a response to the salvation that God has given me. That’s the way things go.”
Apportioning blame – Remorse is all that counts
“It does not make sense to put the blame on the neighbour in the hope of diminishing our own debt,” the Chief Apostle said with respect to the grace we receive with the forgiveness of sins. “The point is not the size of my debt. What counts is my remorse and my longing for grace. It depends on my repentance.”
“Let us glorify the God of love, the God of patience, and the God of comfort in the congregation,” the Chief Apostle said in conclusion,” adding, “‘that they may be one as We are’. That is the wish of our Lord Jesus Christ, and something we want to respond to favourably.”