Unity in Diversity?

 

 

READ 2 John and 3 John

In my Bible, the introduction to 2 John says, “Only when you find agreement on sound doctrine will you find meaningful fellowship.” 

I’m a bit hesitant with this statement. Years ago, I was at a Bible study when the large group of women in attendance started talking about a controversial doctrine. There was no agreement and usual harmony in this group began to fray. That particular day, the pastor happened to be visiting the group. He began to talk about the redemption that is in Christ, asking questions and receiving testimonies. Soon the harmony returned. Then this wise pastor reminded us that we may not agree on some issues, but we all agreed on the Person and work of Jesus Christ, and He is the reason for our fellowship.

Since then, I’ve found that even those who agree on most doctrinal issues can still find something that they don’t agree on, and if they decide to argue about it, that sense of oneness that Christ gives is lost. Fellowship is not about unity in understanding as much as it is about loving each other in Christ.

Even so, false teaching will destroy unity. Today’s reading begins with John telling the recipient of his “love in truth” and how that love is present with “all who know the truth.” (2 John 1) John quickly clarifies that he is talking about God’s command to love one another and says, “ . . . And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it” adding the warning that “Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.” (2 John 5–7)

John isn’t pointing to differences of opinion but that there is unity in diversity when that unity is expressed in obedience to God. He also points out that those who do not abide in the Lord’s teaching are not even His!

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. (2 John 9–11)

False teachers still exist. One thing that marks them is discussed in 2 John, again in the area of loving one another. He tells of Gaius who welcomed traveling Christian missionaries into his home and condemned Diotrephes, a selfish church leader who not only refused to help these itinerant, godly teachers but also had slandered and opposed those who disagreed with him.

It is not differences of opinion that is divisive so much as pride that thinks ‘my ideas are without flaw’ and letting this keep me from living by God’s clear command to love one another. The amazing reality of God’s life in us is the fact that Jesus can and does produce in His people unity in our diversity. Our foundation is His gracious love for us and that love is our unity. We may not agree on minor things, but love and truth keeps us unified.

This is not a blind love. God also gives discernment. Some, like that wise pastor, are able to appeal to unity in Christ when God’s people are threatened by division or even false teaching. That said, false teaching is a very real threat. John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4)

The threat at that time was a fellow named Diotrephes “who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority” but John was determined to stop him from “talking wicked nonsense against us . . . refusing to welcome the brothers, and stopping those who want to and putting them out of the church.” John pointed out the folly of imitating evil rather than imitating good by saying, “Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.” (3 John 9–11)

This reading tells me that sound doctrine is best proven by what it produces. A congregation that continually fights is missing something, whereas a church body that is in harmony and full of goodness with unity is hearing and obeying truth from God. It also tells me that when I think I’ve got a handle on a truth that no one else seems to see, I need to drop my pride and delve deeper into my Bible. If this ‘truth’ puts me in opposition to others, it could be my problem, not theirs.