“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” (Philippians 1:27 NLT)
It’s not enough to be unified under one banner or even one cause. There are numerous “united fronts” that threaten, not only Christianity, but our way of life wherever we live. Paul is very specific when he instructs us to be united under only one authority – the Lordship of Jesus. It’s under that banner alone that we become “citizens of heaven.” But what does that mean? What does that look like in practical terms?
The Scriptures define the quality of life that should be pursued by a Jesus follower, summed up in the 1st Commandment: Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and body, and love others as we love ourselves. That includes not only how we live in relation to fellow Jesus followers, but family, friends, even enemies. The plot thickens because even within the Body of Christ there is significant division.
Ron Hutchcraft addresses this when he writes: “Honestly now, does that describe how God’s people are working where you live? Even in your own church or your ministry? Standing firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel? If not, why not? Have we allowed our distinctives, our denomination, our pride, our competitiveness, our opinions, our turf to keep us from joining hands to rescue the dying people all around us?
That’s unworthy of the Gospel! Let’s not waste any more bullets shooting at our own soldiers. Let’s remember that turf doesn’t matter when people are dying; that what unites us is so much greater than what divides us. The enemy is too powerful, the hour is too late, and the stakes are just too high for us to continue to work in our own separate worlds. United, the army of Christ is unstoppable. Divided, we’re just helping our enemy. United we stand!”
Our incentive to reach lost loved ones and friends is (or should be) a much higher priority than the pettiness which separates us as believers. We don’t have to agree on every point of doctrine to agree that Jesus is our point of reference. Why? Because “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Whose opinions, theories, convictions, or attitudes are right is irrelevant. Who is lost and who is found are our only considerations. And yes, I realize that even among “believers,” some question the salvation of others. Can we leave that in the only Hands that matter and go about our Father’s business with singular focus?
It’s debatable who first said: “The devil is in the details,” but it’s certainly illustrated in the minutia in which we get entangled when it comes to joining ranks to win the lost. I applaud men of God like Dr. Billy Graham and others who have been used of God to unite us across denominational lines for the sake of the lost.
Personally, I don’t care who gets credit when someone puts their faith in Jesus, I’m just ecstatic that they did. It just makes it so much more satisfying when it’s a united effort.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 