“How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in peace!
“It is like the finest oils poured on the head,sweet-smelling oils flowing down to cover the beard,Flowing down the beard of Aaron,flowing down the collar of his robe.It is like the gentle rain of Mount Hermonthat falls on the hills of Zion.Yes, from this place, the Eternal spoke the command,from there He gave His blessing—life forever”(Psalm 133, The Voice).
A prayer based on Psalm 133 from Endless Grace by Ryan Whitaker Smith & Dan Wilt.
“SO VERY GOOD – Father,it is so very good when unity prevailswhere bitterness once held sway.It is so very good when the oil of humility anoints those gathered in Your name.It is so very good when sister, brother, mother, father,find common ground,when our fellowship is blessed by the peace of Your Spirit. Amen.”
Why are there so many different groups (denominations, fellowships, conventions, etc) among those who claim to follow Jesus?
It’s because we disagree about a whole lot of stuff!
From doctrine to ministry methods to worship styles to preferred emphases to governance to … well, you get the point.
On the positive side, those distinctives provide multiple ways to connect with people for the sake of proclaiming the King and His kingdom.
On the negative side, we often treat our spiritual siblings like enemies because they don’t share our preferences.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could find common ground that binds us in big tent unity—even though we spend most of our time in our smaller tents?
That made me think of a song from 1986 from the Christian rock band, DeGarmo & Key (“Christian rock” may be another dividing point).
“You say I must not sing or danceThey say the Spirit must come throughYou say that I must be immersedThey say a sprinkling will do–Will you still love me after I choose?Doesn’t the issue stand upon this truth?–Up on a cross, He died for sinnersUp on a cross, between two thievesUp on a cross, He died for you and me–You say a man has a free willThey say he isn’t really freeYou pray exactly what you feelThey memorize their liturgies–Will you still love me after I choose?Doesn’t the issue stand upon this truth?–Up on a cross, He died for sinnersUp on a cross between two thievesUp on a cross, He died for you and me–I heard the Devil’s voice today.”
It seems that if we could find a center pole for our big tent, it would look like a cross.
The Apostle Paul summarized the gospel this way:
This weekend we acknowledge the central event in history: The Cross/Resurrection Event (a term I borrowed over 30 years ago and have no intention of returning).
I’m not going to suggest those distinctives don’t matter.
I AM going to suggest that they don’t matter more than our common proclamation that Jesus Christ—crucified, buried, risen, eternal, coming again to make all things new—is Lord!
Be amazing this Easter weekend, my friend.
