Unity is not uniformity

Again, these key verses for this two-month look at the New Testament church give an image of strong solidarity. “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:19–21)

Did these first Christians ever disagree? Were there any church splits as so often happens today? Yes and no. This incident from Acts tells of a sharp difference of opinion, and what was done about it.

“And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.’ Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” (Acts 15:36–41)

Paul may have been right to say John Mark should have been loyal, but Barnabas was also right in offering this man a second chance. Both leaders got their way. Eventually John Mark must have proven himself. Later in history, Paul writes letters to the churches he established and mentions this man in a far different tone.

In Colossians, Paul says, “Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord . . . Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him) . . .   These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me . . .” (Colossians 4:7–12)

In 2 Timothy, he writes, “Do your best to come to me soon . . . Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:9–11) and in Philemon, he includes him in his greetings to the recipient of this letter, calling him a “fellow worker.” (Philemon 23–24)

Instead of letting their disagreement start two new denominations, such as “the Reliable Believers” church and the “Church of Second Chances,” they went ahead to the task at hand. They were also “commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord” and God in His grace kept them joined together in the work, putting the Gospel ahead of personal preferences.

Getting along is the ideal, but differences are inevitable. What I do with them is important. I do not agree with every Christian on every point of theology and practice, but I do agree that God supplies grace to keep us from division that separates the church.  

Lord, help me be gracious to all, realizing they also need grace to put up with my ideas and ways of doing things. Unity isn’t about uniformity, but about being one in Jesus Christ.

God’s punishment? or God’s comfort?

“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

At first read, the rod and staff seem more like a club and a spanking paddle, but they are not. God’s correction is not punishment. It is a loving desire to correct us for our own sakes, that we might be all we can be. I find it difficult to understand correction is love, for when I do wrong, I expect punishment.

Many years ago, I heard that expecting punishment and getting it completes a cycle, creating almost a sense of satisfaction. If the person who did wrong is not punished, they are far more agitated by guilt than they are if they get what they think they deserve.

At that time, I was not a Christian and had a problem. My first husband had a habit of making a stop on the way home from work. He was always late for supper and I always spoke angrily to him when he did arrive. Then I heard about this expected punishment theory and decided to try a new tactic. The next time, I fed myself and the children on time. When he finally showed up, I reheated his supper without saying a word and acted as if nothing happened. To my utter astonishment, he never was late again.

This idea of expecting punishment is how most of us operate with God too. We sin and expect Him to swack us down, but God is not like that, at least not with His children. Instead, He loves us and will patiently do whatever is needed to correct the way we are behaving. His actions are never about punishment and all about changing our hearts. Because of that, when I sin and but do not get what I expect or deserve, I am astonished and humbled, even deeply inclined to never do it again.

What kinds of things does God correct? Some of them are found in this familiar passage . . .

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:5–12)

God wants my faith in Him, not in me. He lets my ideas fail if that will help me trust Him more. He wants me to look to Him, and if I don’t, then my paths become difficult and I feel a need for His help. He wants me to not trust myself but respect Him and turn away from evil. When I do the opposite, evil is apt to overwhelm me to the point that I realize I cannot trust myself.

All of this is to bring healing and refreshment. When I honor God with all I possess, He gives me more. This shows me that trust and obedience is good for me as well. In my saner moments, I wonder why I choose sin or want to trust myself instead of Him. His kindness surely does lead me to repentance (Romans 2:4), far greater than my actions worked in that late-for-supper thing to change my ex-husbands bad habit.

For God, this is a loving and consistent response to our waywardness. As His people, we are not so consistent. For instance, Paul and Barnabas had a dispute over a co-worker named John Mark. He had withdrawn from their ministry team and for that reason Paul didn’t want him with them. Barnabas was more forgiving, “and there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed . . .” (Acts 15:36–41). Later, Paul changed his mind. When he wrote to Timothy near the end of his days on earth, he said, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:9–11)

I am not as good about wanting the best for me or others as God is, but He never gives up. His rod and staff no longer seem like punishment as much as they once did. Instead, His correction is becoming a comfort to me, just as He intends for all His wayward sheep.