Unity in Diversity

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Unity in Diversity

We serve a Triune God. Three in one. The essence of Unity in Diversity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — same Almighty God, yet uniquely different.

This past Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, Dr. Joe Green continued his sermon series on unity as he contrasted the story of the Tower of Babel found in Genesis 11 with the story of Pentecost found in Acts 2.

In both stories, unity was being sought.

In Genesis, they were seeking a prideful unity that resulted in disobedience to God and was fueled by wanting to control unity by their own means. They had one language, but instead of trusting God with their unity, they wanted to “make a name from themselves.” The result: God confused their language and scattered them.

In Acts 2:1-8, this is what we read, “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?”

The Acts account of unity is still unity in diversity, but it’s God ordained, given by the Father, sealed by the Son, manifested by the Holy Spirit. The people were all together in one place, but this time, they did not try to control the unity. They trusted God’s plan that was ushered in by a mighty rushing wind. Just like in Genesis, they began to speak in other languages. This time, however, it did not confuse or divide them, it brought them together and unified them. Verse 5 tells us that devout men from every nation under heaven heard it and came together because of it. They were amazed and astonished because each one was hearing his own language.

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Unity Centered Around You and Me is Not True Unity as God Intended it to Be. Actually, it’s Idolatry.

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Unity Centered Around You and Me is Not True Unity as God Intended it to Be. Actually, it’s Idolatry.

Unity centered around you and me is not true unity as God intended it to be. Actually, it’s a form of idolatry. Any “unity” that calls for coming together while leaving God out will fail. It will fall. God will have no other gods before Him. Man made unity held together by worldly ideologies is a false god. It will will unravel at the seams, because it is far more destructive than it seems.

Disobeying God’s instruction always leads to destruction.

Just look at the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. In verse 4 we see the very reason for their construction of the tower was to protect or control their unity “lest they be dispersed over the face of the earth.” They sought man made unity by “making a name for themselves.” Man made unity will always give a false sense of security. What they created God frustrated. He confused their language and dispersed them.

When we do things our way, we will always be led astray, but when we do things God’s way, He will protect and bless as we obey.

Pastor Joe Green brought a WORD today on UNITY in the first of a two part sermon series centered around Pentecost.

Pastors, your people need you to boldly proclaim God’s truth in a world that is constantly feeding them lies. Today’s Godless culture is nothing new. It’s reminiscent of others that have made brick and mortar towers and golden calves, and more recently, these graven images appear in the form of Godless ideologies and man made philosophies.

Collin Hansen said “Many pastors are trying to have the “both and” mentality in an “either or” world and it’s pulling their churches at the seams.”

We are either for God or we are against Him. There is no “both and” in His “either or” call for devotion and loyalty. He requires an undivided heart. Hot or cold. Not lukewarm. We must choose between God’s way and the world’s. We cannot do both. When we choose one, we must reject the other.

“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” ~ James 4:4 ESV

So, in the words of Pastor Green, let’s remember these 5 things…

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From Contradictory to Complementary. The Beauty of Harmony.

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From Contradictory to Complementary. The Beauty of Harmony.

I’m a little more graced based. His convictions are rooted in truth. I’m a feeler and follow my heart. He wants the facts so he can lead with his head.

Truth and Grace. Facts and Feelings. Head and Heart.

Seemingly opposite, but beautifully blended by the love that binds us, not blinds us.

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." ~ Colossians 3:14 ESV

Notice the word used in this translation: "harmony," not necessarily “unity” (although “unity” is used in some translations, the original greek word in the text is “sundeo” which means “to bind together” — to make complete or perfect, but not to make equal or the same). Harmony in music is multi-tonal, richer and fuller, whereas unity or unison, while still beautiful on its own, is monotone, a rather lonely tone, lacking dimension and depth.

{I could go into much more detail about how disparity is not a rarity because our humanity disrupts our unity, and I do actually in this blog post by the same title.}

Steve and I are well aware of our differences, and yet those differences are often the very thing that pulls us together, draws us closer, and allows us to learn, grow, and become richer and fuller, more complete as we complement each other, strengthening not only our marriage, but our faith, too.

We love each other better, because God loved us first and best. As Lent leads us closer to the cross, let's focus on that fact and the feelings surrounding it. Jesus, the son of God, gave His life for us, and in so doing, married seemingly different theological truths to add power and purpose to the trustworthy Good News!

Old Testament law. New Testament grace. The law fulfilled by grace, not replaced by grace. Fulfilled. Made richer and fuller. It took Jesus, fully God and fully man, to give us full access to God’s Amazing Grace. Sin separated. Sacrifice emancipated. The ultimate sacrifice that did not end in death but made a way for forgiveness. Forgiveness that forged new life, a richer and fuller life, earthly abundant now and heavenly eternal forever.

How do opposites like Steve and me find a way to love so beautifully? God's Love. Plain and simple. And yet extremely intricate and complex. Minds can’t always comprehend it, but hearts will always connect to it and through it.

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