Unity in Community

We have this way of confusing unity with uniformity.

Uniformity means that everything is exactly the same in every detail. Uniformity means that every widget that comes off the line at the factory is identical in every technical specification.

That is not unity.

Unity is about purpose. It is about calling. It is about volition. Unity is about working together to achieve one common aim, despite the differences we have and the diversity of gifts we bring.

You know, "despite" is probably the wrong word there. We might be better off saying "regardless of" or even "because of". In fact, lets try that: Unity is about working together to achieve one common aim, because of the differences we have and the diversity of gifts we bring.

That probably still needs some polish, but that it why it is a good thing that we have a few days between The Whiteboard post and the sermon I'll preach on Sunday! But I hope you take my point -- Unity and diversity are not polar opposites. We can be a diverse community (one that is blessed with many differences, with a variety of gifts, with a panoply of blessings) and still be united (in Christ Jesus our Lord, in serving God, in faithfully reaching out).

So this Sunday, as we continue our Community Sermon Series we'll talk about diversity and unity, and how having both of those things present at the exact same time is truly a blessing!

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Romans 14:1-12 Do Not Judge Another

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.

We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ So then, each of us will be accountable to God.