Who Are These People?
Church Reimagined: Understanding the People of God
In a world filled with division and discord, the church stands as something truly special - a gathering of people called together by Jesus himself. But what exactly makes up this community we call the church, and how do we navigate the challenges of unity when we're surrounded by people who sometimes drive us crazy?
What Is the Church?
The church isn't a building you visit on Sundays - it's a people you join. A church is simply a gathering of people who follow Jesus together, with their eyes set on him and locked on his mission. These aren't just any people, but a very specific kind: people who have been called, forgiven, changed, and sent by Jesus.
When we understand this truth, we realize what an incredible honor it is to be part of Jesus' church. We're not just attending another event on our weekly schedule; we're participating in something that Jesus himself started, created, holds together, and will bring to completion.
How Do I Stay United with People Who Drive Me Crazy?
Let's be honest - maintaining unity in any community is challenging. Whether it's disagreements about masks, politics, schooling choices, or theological differences, divisions seem to find us without much effort. The real question becomes: how do we maintain unity with people who see the world differently than we do?
You Can't Control Their Craziness, But You Can Control Yours
Paul gives us practical wisdom in Ephesians 4:2-3 about maintaining unity. The key insight is this: while you can't control other people's attitudes, perspectives, or behaviors, you absolutely can control your own response.
Four Keys to Maintaining Unity
1. Maintain a Humble Attitude
Humility happens when you compare yourself not to other people (which breeds pride), but to God above. When you measure yourself against God's wisdom, love, and righteousness, you quickly realize you may not be as right or righteous as you think you are. This creates space to actually listen to others and welcome them into relationship.
2. Use a Gentle Tone
Our culture loves bold truth delivered with anger and rage, but gentleness is the missing ingredient in most of our discourse. What if we delivered truth with "heartbroken boldness" - speaking truth not to win debates or prove points, but because we genuinely care about people and want to lead them toward healing?
3. Practice Patience
Change doesn't happen overnight. Instead of expecting people to transform immediately after one conversation, we need to ask ourselves: Will I wait patiently for the Spirit to do his work in their heart, or will I break the bond of peace before the Spirit has completed his work?
4. Bear with One Another in Love
This means enduring people for the sake of love. Some people are easy to love, while others require us to bear with them. The question we should ask in every relationship is: Am I demanding more than I'm bearing? Am I asking them to get their act together while refusing to walk alongside them in the process?
What Actually Unifies Us as Christians?
Unity isn't something we create—it's something we maintain. The Holy Spirit has already unified all believers through the cross of Jesus. Our job is to maintain what the Spirit has already accomplished.
The Seven "Ones" That Bind Us Together
Paul lists seven things that create our unity:
One body (the church)
One Spirit (the Holy Spirit)
One hope (God's will done on earth as in heaven)
One Lord (Jesus Christ)
One faith (trust in Jesus)
One baptism (our public declaration of faith)
One God and Father (who reigns over all, works through all, and lives in all)
These seven elements weave together a beautiful picture: a unified Trinity connected to a unified church. What holds us together isn't our skin color, culture, politics, preferences, or personalities. It's our shared relationship with the triune God.
When Hearts Beat in Rhythm with God
Problems arise when our hearts beat for something other than this unified relationship with God. When we make our personal preferences, political views, or cultural perspectives the primary bond that should unite us, we create division instead of unity.
But when our collective hearts beat for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit above all else, every heart begins to beat in rhythm with his. This is what creates genuine, lasting unity in the church.
Life Application
This week, choose one relationship in your church community that has been challenging for you. Instead of focusing on what drives you crazy about that person, practice the four keys to unity: approach them with humility, speak with gentleness, exercise patience for their growth process, and bear with them in love.
Remember, you can't control their response, but you can control yours. Focus on maintaining the unity that the Spirit has already created rather than trying to change the other person.
Questions for Reflection:
In what relationships am I demanding more than I'm bearing?
How can I compare myself to God rather than to others this week to cultivate humility?
What would it look like for me to speak truth with "heartbroken boldness" rather than anger or frustration?
Am I more focused on my personal preferences or on the seven "ones" that should unite all believers?
