Tag: Galatians 5

Yearning for Unity

Scrolling through my news feed, I’m surprised at how frequently there are articles having to do with the Church or faith-related issues. Sadly, most of the time the articles describe behaviors and attitudes of people who label themselves as “Christian” but have no resemblance to Jesus. I was saddened by a recent one I read that detailed two factions with wildly divergent views whose differences led to a tragic death. It’s no secret that tension and divisiveness have become the norm in our culture today, even in the body of Christ. 

So how do we arrive at the unity that Jesus prayed for in John 17?  How do we respond when others who worship beside us hold different views? Do we reject them and retreat, only associating with those who share the same viewpoints? Do we avoid any subject that might elicit discomfort or a strong reaction?

A good starting place for answering these questions is understanding Jesus’ prayer for unity: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20-23, NIV)

First, it’s important to note that unity and uniformity are not the same thing. Uniformity happens when we already think alike. Conversely, unity only comes when we work hard to find ways to agree with others who have differing views. Unity is something we must grapple with as believers. Ultimately, a stronger bond comes when we acknowledge our differing views and demonstrate willingness to listen and find common ground. So, let’s explore three ways we can align with the heart of Jesus and pursue unity as His followers.1

1) Commit to the Mission of the Church (with a capital “C”): Christian churches across the world use different language to convey a common mission: To know Christ and make Him known. Jesus says it this way in His prayer: “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23, NIV) Obedience to God includes gathering with others to worship, connect, and serve. We’re meant to do this together to honor the Lord and realign ourselves with His will. As we’re reminded of God’s love, mercy, and grace, we band together to share what we’ve received from Him with the world around us. When we stop gathering and divide into factions, we prize uniformity and become suspicious of others. This inward focus causes us to become critical of anyone not in our closed system. We zero in on other believers who do things differently instead of looking outward to the world that desperately needs to hear the hope of the gospel. “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” (Galatians 5:14-15, NIV)

2) Commit to Being Humble and Others-centric: Our personal opinions feel important and can spark strong emotions, especially in the divisive times we’re living in right now. No one agrees with every decision made by leaders or individuals. But we need to prioritize respecting one another as people and followers of Christ more than we care about being right or airing our opinions. Consider Paul’s wise counsel: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:2-6, NIV)

3) Commit to Sacrificing Your Will:  Jesus prayed for the unity of all believers knowing it would be difficult. He prayed this only hours before He was betrayed, abandoned, arrested, tortured, and killed. This is what He was agreeing to when He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39, NIV) Jesus gave up His will for our sake. Are we willing to do that for His Church? 

Pursuing unity as a body of believers requires an unwavering focus on Jesus. Consider the wisdom of A.W. Tozer: “Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So, one hundred worshipers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become ‘unity’ conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.”

Author and Bible teacher Kristi McClellan emphasizes: “Oneness is the way of the kingdom of God in the world. Gospel-centered kingdom-oriented unity has always been a unity within diversity. Unity does not occur when we become the same. True, robust, healthy, and vibrant unity happens within our unique and diverse expressions…Jesus prayed we would be one. Let’s do all we can to honor Him as followers of Jesus seeking oneness, unity, harmony, wholeness, flourishing, and delight. The church is best expressed as a bouquet of unique flowers rather than twelve red roses. We are better together…pray our oneness and unity will give the world an ancient taste of Eden and a future taste of the new heaven and the new earth fully realized.”2

As followers of Jesus, let’s commit to pursuing unity and praying for oneness among our fellow believers. Instead of being quick to notice differences that irk us, let’s ask the Lord to reveal where we may be prioritizing our personal agendas. With humility, let’s invite Him to reveal where we’ve gotten in the habit of finding fault, taking offense, or creating division. Let’s ask Him to show the power of His infinite love and grace through us to every person we encounter.

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1. The definition of unity vs. uniformity and the three points below it are based on Sean Morgan’s Leaders in Living Rooms podcast episode “Ugly Bride- Three Essential for Church Unity” from Sept. 13, 2021.

2. Kristi McClellan, When You Pray, Session 7, Lifeway Press, 2023, 200.

Expanding Intercession

“Does anyone have prayer requests?” I couldn’t begin to count how many times I’ve heard that question while sitting in a circle with other believers. Usually people share about the circumstances of people they love—whether it’s asking for physical healing, emotional support, relational peace, or something else that will affect life in the natural world.

After studying intercessions of many faithful people in Scripture, I’ve been surprised to discover they have a very different emphasis. Take Paul’s opening prayer in Ephesians for example: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:17-19, NIV) Paul’s prayer centers on the spiritual realm. He prays for those he loves to receive wisdom and revelation so they can know the Lord better. He prays their spiritual eyes will be opened and they’ll have greater understanding of the power they have through the Spirit.

Inspired by this prayer a few years ago, I started interceding less about circumstances of those I love and more about the eyes of their hearts being opened. While I care about their health, safety, and relationships, I now see that praying for their hearts and minds to be aligned with the Lord will have a more lasting impact (and will actually affect their health, safety, and relationships positively too.) More than anything, I want them to know God deeply and understand the riches they have in Him. It’s been encouraging, gratifying, and sometimes surprising to recognize how God has responded to my prayers over time.

When we intercede for ourselves and others, we have access to a limitless source of spiritual power. Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 illustrates this: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19, NIV) The answer to this prayer changes how believers see themselves and others. Once we grasp the depth of God’s love for us and root ourselves in it, we overflow with Jesus’ love. Instead of looking for people to fill us, we’re able to pour out God’s love on them.

Jada Edwards explains, “When Christ dwells in our hearts, we are so grounded in love that we are able to see people in the image of God. This type of love should be something we daily ask God to manifest in us and something we daily pray for others in the Spirit of Paul’s prayer.”1 Edwards invites us to stretch our faith and pray for God’s power to be more evident in ourselves, others, and among all believers. Consider these ideas to expand your prayers of intercession:

-In our personal lives: We can ask the Lord to fill us and satisfy us so completely each day that we’re not tempted to look for any lesser thing or person to quench our spiritual thirst. We can also pray for God to give us His power in practical ways—whether it’s enabling us to offer forgiveness and mend a relationship, to give us contentment while a longing remains unfulfilled, or to experience joy that is rooted in knowing Christ instead of circumstances being the way we want. We can ask God to align our hearts and minds to His will and to let the fruit of the Spirit be evident and bountiful in our lives: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23a NLT)

-In the lives of others: We can ask God to reveal Himself in ways they can see and feel; to help them persevere and trust Him through trials; to encourage them when they’re struggling; to heal and comfort physical and emotional pain; to provide for tangible needs; to convict them when they’re mired in sin; or to give them wisdom and guidance in making decisions. We can pray for the Lord to help them remain closely connected to Him and to bear fruit that reveals His presence in their lives. “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:7-8, NIV)

-In the church (local and global): We can ask God to empower us collectively to show His love to the world; to equip us to serve others with wisdom and grace; to bring unity among all believers in our divided world; to meet physical and emotional needs of the hurting through the church; to keep us humble and pure in heart; and to bring the light of hope into the darkness. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

Every suggestion here has been inspired by Scripture. When we let the Bible inform our prayers, we can be confident that they align with God’s will. Consider expanding your prayers of intercession—look beyond circumstances and pray for hearts and minds to be more attuned to the Kingdom of God. Try using Paul’s prayers when you’re interceding for others. Ask the Lord to open the eyes of your heart and to fill you with His love that surpasses knowledge, then watch the way it overflows from your life.

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1. Jada Edwards, When You Pray, Lifeway Press 2023, 157.

Jesus Plus

Creating benchmarks and requirements that make faith more complicated than it needs to be seems to be part of the human condition. For some reason, we struggle to believe the completed work of Jesus is enough. This has been happening since the early days of the Christian faith, as we see in the book of Acts when the young church begins adding people from all different backgrounds to its ranks.

Returning from their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas go back to the original church they planted in Antioch to share incredible news: “And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” (Acts 14:27, ESV)

While believers rejoice hearing that the gospel has spread throughout Galatia (and beyond), the merging of Jews and Gentiles into one faith also includes challenges. The apostles must take decisive action to prevent division among the followers of Jesus from eclectic backgrounds. They gather to consider conflicting teaching from different factions to determine once and for all whether new believers must become Jews and observe the laws of Moses as part of their newfound faith in Christ.

In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council meets so the apostles and other key church leaders can debate, discuss, and decide if Gentiles must follow Jewish practices for their faith to be complete. During their meeting, Peter addresses the group: “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believed that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” (Acts 15: 7-11, ESV)

Peter is likely recalling his first interaction with Cornelius from ten years earlier when the Roman centurion received the Holy Spirit along with all in his household (Acts 10). He reminds the Council that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles through the grace of Jesus and says that nothing else needs to be added to make them acceptable in God’s eyes. 

Later, in Galatians, Paul affirms this when he writes to the churches he planted previously, emphasizing the power Jesus has to erase dividing lines between different people groups: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal 3:26-29, NIV)

One commentary explains, “Conflict between ‘grace’ and the ‘Law’ can arise when someone 1) misunderstands the purpose of the Law; 2) redefines grace as something other than ‘God’s benevolence on the undeserving’ (see Romans 11:6); 3) tries to earn his own salvation or ‘supplement’ Christ’s sacrifice; 4) follows the error of the Pharisees in tacking manmade rituals and traditions onto his doctrine; or 5) fails to focus on the ‘whole counsel of God’ (Acts 20:27).”1

Our modern eyes may read this and wonder what the fuss is all about. However, many different branches of our faith can have a subtle “Jesus Plus” mentality. Without realizing it, we layer on additional steps that we consider essential for being a “true” Christian. Following a certain set of social norms in a group of believers can dictate whether someone is in the fold or out in the cold—whether it’s voting practices, expectations around dancing or alcohol consumption, views on women in leadership, stances on divisive topics in our nation today, or any other doctrinal issue with varying perspectives. When people begin to set rules for how everyone should act or think, the focus shifts from God’s grace to self-righteousness, seeking approval of others, or judging those who don’t follow the agreed upon set of norms established by a specific group of believers.

I’ve experienced both sides of this human tendency to seek uniformity—I’ve been the one judging those who don’t live out their faith the way I do, and I’ve been judged by others for not falling in line with their practices. Neither mindset honors God; both turn our eyes from the unity found in Christ to seeking uniformity in how we conduct our lives.

Where are you prone to having a “Jesus Plus” mentality? Do you need to cross deeds off a checklist to feel acceptable to God? Do you feel pressure to follow certain social rules to be in the fold with other believers? Are you so focused on one issue that you’re ignoring other things you need to learn in Scripture? Are you threatened by others’ expressions of faith in Christ that differ from yours?

My church denomination has a motto “In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity” (originally coined by Rupertus Meldenius, a German Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century). “It calls for unity on the essential things, the core of truth in our union with Christ. In non-essentials (not the unimportant, but those things that if lacking do not prevent our union with Christ), it calls for liberty so that all might follow their consciences under the Word and Spirit. In all things, however, there must be love (‘charity’ from the Latin caritas, or ‘love’), ‘which binds everything together in perfect harmony’ (Col. 3:14).”2 Paul’s words in Galatians sum it up well: “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Gal 5:1 & 6b, NIV)

After the Jerusalem Council determines it is unnecessary for the Gentile converts to adopt Jewish practices, the members provide further instructions: “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.” (Acts 15:28-29, ESV)

While new believers aren’t required to become Jewish, they are admonished to forsake their former pagan practices related to idolatry. (This echoes commands given in Leviticus 17-18.) Avoiding these four things wasn’t necessary for salvation but promoted peace between Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus.3 It also empowered the new believers to turn away from practices that would dishonor the Lord and hinder them from continued spiritual growth. 

Lots of us carry baggage from our pasts that impacts how we interact with God and others. To understand more about how to recognize and eliminate the “Jesus Plus” mentality, consider reading one of these books:

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My Cup Overflows

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5b, NIV)

Anointing people with oil isn’t a common practice in our culture today, which means the beauty of this verse can be overlooked. I’m grateful to have had rare opportunities to experience it on two occasions. The first was alongside church elders praying for a man in the hospital with traumatic injuries. The second was when ministry leaders prayed for me as I was beginning a new leadership role at church. 

Both of my experiences were powerful and in keeping with what Scripture shows: anointing is meant for consecrating or setting someone apart for special service, honoring or blessing a guest, or praying for a person who needs healing.  Jennifer Rothschild explains that it is “a poetic picture of the sweet presence and action of the Holy Spirit in our lives.” (p. 157)

Although you may not have experienced being anointed physically, you’ve been anointed spiritually if you follow Jesus. “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13b-14, NIV)

To get a more complete understanding, we need to unpack the second part of the verse: “My cup overflows.” Rothschild explains, “The Hebrew word for overflow in Psalm 23:5 means saturated. And it denotes wealth or satisfaction. So, when we are saturated with the good things of God, we will be rich with His Spirit and truth and fully, deeply satisfied.” (p. 165) I think the best example of God’s richness and abundance overflowing is in Jesus’ sacrificial love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17, NIV)

Jesus elaborated on this the night before His crucifixion using the elements of the Passover table as an illustration: “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” (Matthew 26:26-28, NIV) 

Overflowing with love for us, Jesus poured out His life to restore us to right relationship with the Father. When we personally accept Him as our Savior, He anoints us with His Holy Spirit. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand… God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1,2 & 4b, NIV)

With the Holy Spirit living in us, we have access to all the spiritual riches of God. “The more we stay in the presence of the Lord, sitting at the table He prepares for us, the more we are aware of the presence and power of His Holy Spirit in our lives.” (p. 159) We begin to display qualities we don’t possess naturally: “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22 & 23a, NLT)

It is only through the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit that any of these qualities show in my life. While we’ve been sheltering at home as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, I’ve been reminded that maintaining an awareness of the Lord’s presence and power makes a significant difference. On days when I spend too much time poring over news stories and tracking the spread of the virus, my whole demeanor changes. I’m anxious, irritable, and short tempered. When I don’t make the time to refresh myself with the overflowing abundance of God’s love and grace, I let our current circumstances color my outlook with fear and negativity. 

On a recent rainy Sunday, I got out of bed late and didn’t have a chance to spend time alone with the Lord. Since we were tuning into an online church service, I figured that would be a good alternative. Although I heard teaching from Scripture and passively participated in corporate prayer, I didn’t connect with any of it personally. Instead, I grew increasingly negative, grumpy, and critical. I was tired of sheltering at home and frustrated that the rain was taking away my chance to find respite outdoors. On top of that, I was stewing on a few frustrating interactions I’d had via text and e-mail the day before.

After the service, I realized I needed to give myself a time-out to be alone with the Lord. Curled up on my bed while rain continued to drum on the roof, I opened my prayer journal and poured out my frustrations to God. Soon, I felt Him leading me to different passages of Scripture that spoke directly to me. I realized my attitude had made me a prime target for enemy attack. I confessed specific situations where I’d been harboring negative thoughts or thinking critically. The Lord showed me some incorrect assumptions and conclusions I was drawing from limited knowledge. Sharing my raw feelings and angst gave Him an opening to speak to me through His Word and to renew my mind. He enabled me to see the same situations and people with a fresh perspective. The rain continued to fall, but my dark mood lightened considerably.

My experience was an unflattering example of Jennifer Rothschild’s words, “When your plans get turned upside down, when you get knocked down, when you start to shake, what brims over from your cup? Only what is inside will flow out.” (p. 164) What spilled out of my cup wasn’t pretty that morning. The Lord was ready and waiting to give me what I needed, but I had to draw near to Him to receive it. Rothschild sums it up, “It’s like He’s saying, What I want to give you is bigger than you can contain. What I want to lavish over your life is more than you have capacity to hold. I want to fill you with grace and peace and joy and My Word so you will overflow with hope and love and rejoicing. When I saturate your life with My goodness, you will be satisfied.” (p. 165)

There’s no better time to see God’s goodness then at Easter. Holy Week looks a little different this year as we celebrate it without the usual fanfare. But maybe having all of the exterior aspects of Easter stripped away will narrow our focus so we can celebrate what it’s really about: The Father’s overflowing love, the Son’s sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection, and the Spirit’s anointing that fills us with His presence and power.

Don’t miss the opportunity to reflect on these truths so beautifully captured in “King of Kings” by Hillsong United. 

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018.

Image by Scott Warburton, courtesy of pixabay.com