One Big Happy Family... With Fruit

I was observing the other day how we are all so interested in being unique.  Being set apart.  Different.  Segregated.  My friend had posed the question: "Why don't people ask what makes them the same, as opposed to what makes them different?"  That is the question isn't it.  Especially for those who follow Jesus.  Every day have a disagreement within our own church family, denomination, and the world-wide church.  We separate our church from the other churches down the street.  We are focused on how our denomination is unique in the catholic church as a whole.  But that attitude destroys the whole idea behind "catholic church" (please notice here the lower-case "c").  The first to use the word catholic to describe the church was likely Ignatius of Antioch during the second century A.D.  But, this idea is supported throughout Scripture.  Never is there any suggestion that the church should be anything but a united and universal body.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. -Philippians 2:1-4

So why do we have all this division between us?  Why do we hate?  Why do we focus on what segregates us when we have so much in common?  If someone has made a mistake that leads to Hell don't point and shout!  That draws the attention of the world to our hate of each other.  Instead our goal must be to live the life of love we are called to live, and that starts with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I think all sects and denominations of Christianity are correct?  No.  Carefully look upon one another's views.  With discernment approach each other.  Be unified with Christian Affection.

"I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil." -Romans 17-19

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." -1 Corinthians 16:13-14

 "3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."  -Philipians 1:3-11 

This is a "partnership." So let's act like it.  Let's do our best to stick together.  Because the greatest danger to the Church is not from the outside, but from within.

But the fruit of the spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. -Galation 5:22-23

So be discerning and gentle, not hateful or spiteful.  Live together in peace with goodness and kindness.  But most of all.  Let us love.  Then and only then, will we really be a unified body.