And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
(John 17:11 - ESV)

Indeed we as believers should be unified and this is even when brothers and sisters have different perspectives on doctrinal issues at times. There are truths in the Bible that must not be compromised and we went over just a few of them in the Taboo Series. But we must also be aware that being a believer in Jesus also comes with the ability to not simply became a Christian android but to live out your faith in the unique way that God has prepared for you.

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
(Romans 14:1-4 - ESV)

Romans 14 is a great chapter in the Bible to read and it sheds some light of how believers divide over issues of preference many times over issues of actual doctrine. Let’s explore some examples. Some people clash over the issue of tithing but each person is encouraged by the Bible to give according to their hearts as long as somebody isn’t forcing them to tithe. Some people clash over the issue of women wearing pants but the Bible gives no support that this is wrong. Some people clash over the issue of drinking an alcoholic beverage but there are people who can handle their drinking and not be stumbling around drunk. Some people argue over whether we can eat meat from the “filthy animals” of the Old Testament when the Bible says is clear on this issue. And what about what people deem to be acceptable worship music? The list goes on and on about the silly preferences that we divide over.

You may feel convicted about something in your life and may act upon it but this doesn’t mean that it is Biblical. And we must be careful not to wrongfully judge. At the same time, those of us who operate in a certain freedom in Christ should not discourage our brothers and sisters by being a stumbling block to them. If they can not handle drinking wine, don’t drink wine around them. If they can’t handle organ music, be willing to work with their A capella style. If we are going to divide on something, let us divide on something legitimate and not something based on our personal preference.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(John 13:34-35 - ESV)

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
(Acts 2:42-47 - ESV)

Many churches have gotten so far away from the fact that the church is a family and not an institution. This is part of the reason why there is a lack of love in the churches today. Do we look out for one another like family or are we just all members of the same country club of a church institution?

Jesus said that people would know that we are His disciples by the way that we care for one another. And there was a time when Christians were respected by the world in the Book of Acts because of how they conducted themselves and tended to one another. We like this unity in many instances today and that is why people find more support and encouragement in the religious systems we deem to be cults and false beliefs. We need this unity that existed among believers in Acts to be more prevalent among believers today.

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
(1 John 3:16-18 - ESV)

My brothers and sisters, this is the type of unity that is needed among the saints today. Not all these alliances that we are entering into with the world and people who are not following Jesus. If there is a unity we need to have, let it be amongst the Body of Christ so that our witness in this world will be stronger and our lights will shine brighter. And at the same time, don’t stop doing good and don’t stop striving to live at peace with everyone as much as it is possible. But understand, our loyalty must always start with Christ and then we need to love one another. This is the true unity that our Lord is concerned about.

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