Strive for peace

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. – Ephesians 4.1-3

A house divided against itself cannot stand. It is good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity. We are one body.

There are plenty of passages talking about the importance of unity. It only makes sense because in every aspect of life we are stronger together. One single stick is easily broken. Two sticks are harder to break. But a bundle of three sticks is strong and hard to destroy.

Why then does it seem like all we can do is split and divide. I have seen fellowship broken over clothing choices and facial hair and music and Bible translation and worship styles and all kinds of petty things. I have seen churches split over carpet choices and moving a piece of furniture and which entrance of a car park to close because traffic was using the church car park as a cut through. I’ve seen fights and arguments over not only predestination but what level of predestination and over what kind of lapsarian you are and over dichotomy and tracheotomy and over eschatology. Not that these theological issues are unimportant, but is there really the need to fight?

Unity is not easy, that’s why we are told that we need to work for it. We must constantly strive, not to be right or to tear down others or make everyone conform to us. We must strive to find ways to be at peace even with those who differ or disagree with us.

Strive for unity. Pursue peace with all men, with holiness. We can’t sacrifice holiness in pursuit of peace, but we can strive to achieve peace wherever possible.