May the mumbling commence!
Christian maturity is also about unity in the midst of diversity. There are many things in our lives that divide us into groups. None of these arbitrary human divisions means anything before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Unity in the midst of diversity is a key to Christian maturity. Read from Ephesians chapter two (NRSV):
So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called "the uncircumcision" by those who are called "the circumcision" – a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands – remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.
So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. (Verses 11-22)
Whenever I think about arbitrary divisions, I think about the Dr. Seuss book The Butter Battle Book. In the story, there are people divided by a wall. People on one side of the wall eat their bread with the butter side up, while the people on the other side eat their bread with the butter side down. Seems ludicrous, doesn’t it? But it leads to hatred and an escalating war.
We need to reexamine ourselves and the differences that we think to be so big. We need to reexamine what binds us together – Christ Jesus. The blood of Christ Jesus binds us together – liberal and conservative… city slickers and country bumpkins… legal and “illegal” citizens… wealthy and poor… upper crust, middle class, and poverty.
Through the work of the cross, Christ breaks down the barriers and introduces us to a new reconciliation. The many and diverse groups are all made one in Christ Jesus. Each group – no matter how “good” or “bad” – have sinned and fallen short of the glory that God has planned for us. The blood of the cross reconciles us to God… and to one another.
Welcome to the adoptive family of God – where there is unity among diversity and reconciliation is king. There is another sign of Christian maturity – reconciliation in the midst of conflict. It is a tough task to live up to.
For this reason, we must stick together in Christ. Then, we will grow together to become a holy temple for the Lord. We will become home to the Holy Spirit of God! Together!
Let us grow in unity among diversity. Let us grow together in our ability to create reconciliation in the midst of conflict. Let us constantly meditate on the one thing that unites us – Christ Jesus. Then we will be on our way to knowing peace. Christ Jesus is our peace.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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