Dear Friends in Christ,
One can only imagine what the Apostle Paul would have made of “social media.” Wouldn’t he have appreciated a tool that would bring people together as “friends” so we could help each other endure daily life and encourage hope? Twitter and Facebook were not even on his radar, I’m sure. However, Paul had and used something even better.
Paul’s social media were the Scriptures. God’s Word was the unifying tool that joined believers, strong and weak. It united congregations near and far to their Savior God, and to one another. Scripture was the means the Holy Spirit used to give staying power to faith and encouragement so the church would not lose hope for the future. We enjoy such unity and its certain outcomes.
We join our brothers and sisters in Christ of the Wisconsin Synod in having a Walking Together Sunday. Based on Paul’s words to the Romans we acknowledge and thank God for A Spirit of Unity in Christ Alone. This spirit of unity is strengthened by Scripture’s blessings. It is intended to glorify God.
Paul addressed the matter of unity in Christian faith and life to his beloved Romans. He spoke directly and clearly to those who were strong in their faith, and to those who were weak in their faith. His purpose? He was teaching them to help one another, to friend one another.
In the verse just before our text, Paul quoted Psalm 69:9. He applied those words to Christ to show that Jesus was willing to be insulted so that he could serve us by saving us. Paul connected that Psalm to this application for the Romans, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
Paul was referring to the Old Testament in general and Psalm 69 in particular. Jesus lived to sacrifice for others rather than living selfishly. Paul applied the Old Testament lesson to the New Testament Christians. It is the timeless Word of God as is the New Testament for us.
The Apostle had said a lot in the previous chapter about adiaphora, things God neither commands nor forbids. He outlined how believers were to accept varied opinions in those areas among them. It came down to this, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” [14:19] Where did that endurance of faith and love come from? It came from the Scriptures. What God’s Word teaches us gives us the ability to serve our Christian brothers and sisters not just for a short time but also over the long haul. In the Spirit of Unity in Christ Alone we need that endurance from the Scriptures to live a life of unselfish service.
The Scriptures teach and endow this Christian virtue. Through endurance comes encouragement. Through encouragement comes hope. Paul tells the Romans and us why the Scriptures do that, “May the God who gives endurance and encourage give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ.”
God works through the Word. By his power, he moves us forward to opportunities to serve others in our larger church body and in our congregation. We do not merely grit out teeth and clench our jaws when we face difficulties. We actually look forward to more opportunities for unselfish sacrifice. We have hope for good outcomes and results because we have God’s promises all emanating from Jesus’ cross and empty tomb.
Most of all the Scriptures give that spirit of unity in Christ alone. Literally this means, “to think the same thing in each other.” Even when Christians have different points of view about adiaphora, God gives that unity to think the same way, that is, to think with the attitude of Christ which is humility toward others.
Unity does not come from outward agreement about every detail but lies, Paul write to the Philippians, in our standing firm “in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose us.” [1:27, 28]
We enjoy a great blessing of God through the Scriptures in our church body to have this spirit of unity as we follow Christ Jesus. To follow Christ means to show similarity and uniformity. I have sat through many meetings over the past twelve years as a member of the Board for Ministerial Education and have seen this in action. I know it is true in other boards and committee of our church as its members and leaders from different places work in unity in the humility of Christ. I have been a delegate at two synod conventions where everyone was united in the desire to do the best for the kingdom.
I have seen it in Bethlehem meetings as leaders, committees, and members work through differences of opinion and views in the endurance and encouragement that Scripture works. I trust this spirit of unity in Christ alone will continue as in the days ahead we have discussions, and decide on recommendations regarding possible future expansion of our facility and expansion of our ministry to the area. We will be able to share a variety of views with the spirit of humble sacrifice toward others Jesus our Savior manifested for us on the cross. This will be true when as Paul wrote, “So that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
A Spirit of Unity in Christ Alone is intended to glorify God. When God’s people think alike, and think the way Jesus thought, then the words of our mouths and the purposes of our hearts are united. Then the body of believers will not fracture or divide. Our unity will be evident to all. This will be true even with differences in the strength of faith and understanding among us, and when we think differently about adiaphora.
All we do will then glory God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The reason Jesus shares God’s glory with us and unifies his church on earth is so that we give all glory to God our Father. What an amazing privilege we have to praise and glory the One who loved us and saved us through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ.
In our synod we glorify God by training pastors and teachers to send them out with the Scriptures that work endurance, encouragement and hope. We establish financial goals through Congregation Mission Offerings to reach souls with the gospel around the world. We establish mission congregations in our country. Light of Life in Greenwood just received mission status so they can continue to serve that community with God’s Word. We do things together as congregations in a synod as we do things together as individuals in Bethlehem.
The Scriptures are the social media of believers. Through God’s power in them we are friends; friends with him, friends with fellow believers, and yes, even friends with our enemies to that we might witness to them to the glory of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. They give us endurance and encouragement so that we might have hope. Amen. <SDG>