We live in an increasingly divided world. Whether politics, entertainment, or diet choices, it seems like if we’re given two options, we’ll split into three groups. But how should the church look different from the world? 

Christ’s desire for the church is that we be united as one in Him by the gospel, reflecting the oneness of our trinitarian God. Because of this, we are to allow for no divisions to separate us. 

That means there should be no division over ethnicity, nationality, or language. We shouldn’t be divided over secondary doctrinal beliefs, the in-house debates that happen over important but non-essential aspects of Christianity like the age of the earth, what spiritual gifts God gives or doesn’t give, or the timing of Christ’s return. Not even politics should divide us! 

Sadly, all of these have created division in the church at various times in history. But just because we do not live up to God’s desire does not mean we give up on the pursuit of unity. 

Instead, we need to make it our aim to not simply work around or look past these differences within the body of Christ but to celebrate the diversity of God’s people made one in Christ, demonstrating humility, and freely loving and forgiving one another to reflect the power of Christ who reconciles all things to Himself.