Christian Unity
December 4, 2020
The harmony of Christians in faith, religion and liturgy is Christian unity. The unity of Christians does not reject diversity amongst. It is the diversity between believer men and women; rich and poor; races and languages. Saint Paul spoke of a diversity of gifts among believers, saying, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit”. (1 Corinthians 12:4)
The Book of Acts exemplifies the lives of Christians in the Apostolic era: “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts 4:32)
There are no diversifications in the Christianity as they are one in faith as the fundamental characteristic of Christian unity is one faith. Saint Paul said, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism”. Seeking Christian unity does not mean giving up the unity of faith, as Saint Paul instructed us to “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” During the time of the Holy Apostles, there appeared a number of people preaching strange doctrines that the Holy Church rejected and declared to be heresies. Anyone who preached an alien doctrine was excommunicated by the One, Holy and Apostolic Church. (Ephesians 4:3-5)
Saint John the Apostle said, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.” (1 John 2:19)
Saint Paul spoke about such heretics in saying: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Lord Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13–15)
He further said in his message for the Galatians people, “As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other Gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:9-10)
Father Moses Samaan of Saint Marina Coptic Orthodox Church said, “The diversity in the Church of Christ does not mean diversity in conduct or in the spiritual life. The Church calls all faithful to live a life of holiness and rejects unrepentant sinners. While it is true that the Church accepts everyone, she does not accept those who live in sin with no repentance. The Church in Corinthians, for example, did not accept the sin of the man who sinned with the wife of his father, and he was excommunicated by Saint Paul. Later, when he repented, the Church accepted him. (1 Corinthians 5:4-10, 2 Corinthians 2:6-8)
The Holy Church, established by Our Lord Jesus Christ, is a manifestation of Christian unity and gathers her children together and Hence Christians can pray together, worship, receive flesh, meet God, and pray in harmony at Holy Church. In the Gospel of John, Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word…And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one.” (John 17:20-22)
Holy Church evokes her children to live in harmony, even if we didn’t come from the same tribe, nationality, speak different languages, and if we are different in age, gender, differ in our level of knowledge and wealth. She calls Her people to live a holy life, but those who live in sin must repent to be accepted, as Saint Paul wrote, “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.” (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)
He also wrote in the same epistle, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Christians are expected to live by God’s command and to strive for the success of the Christian life beyond themselves; but, face problems in our routine lives and so, we need to be considerate and obedient in dealing with adversity and solve life obstacles together. Otherwise, our enemy Satan will tempt us in sinning and exploiting to tribal conflicts and internal war.To maintain our Christian unity, we must always fast and pray together.
Let us be righteous, in or outside Holy Church and practice the virtues that are the hallmark of our Christianity; Let us strengthen harmony rather than differences, for Christian conduct strengthens our unity. Our strength will be the guide in reaching eternity and thus, we must maintain our Christian unity.
May God bless us to live in love, peace and unity; Amen!