Dear Trekker,
Schism! It is a horrible, terrible disruptive word in the Church of Jesus Christ. It should never occur or have occurred in the Body of Christ. Christ died that we might all be reconciled to Him and to one another. Each October I am reminded of what has become known in human history as the Protestant Reformation… yes, a great schism in the visible Church.
With that in mind I was most pleased when a dear brother in Christ and leader in the Church spoke a few days ago publicly about the devil’s work to divide Christians. Pope Francis declared that divisions among Christians “hurt the church and they wound Christ.” During her journey through history, “the church has been marred by serious and painful divisions.” He urged the Christian believers to “take an active part in healing the wounds that separate.”
To a largely Catholic audience, he said we must not forget “there are many brothers and sisters who share a faith in Christ, but who belong to other denominations or traditions different than our own.” He challenged believers not to accept painful divisions, which in the course of history have “often been a cause of conflict and suffering, even wars.” Pope Francis did not leave the issue on a theoretical plane; he encouraged all to pray for unity and to begin walking together in what he called “spiritual ecumenism.” I like these words: “In every community there are good theologians, so let them debate the issue while we walk together, praying for each other and carrying out works of charity.” Other words: “The Lord asks us not to fix our gaze on what divides us, but rather on what unites us.” “We all have something in common: we all believe in Jesus Christ, the Lord. We all believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and we all walk together. We are on a journey.”
Indeed we are! But the road along the journey is most treacherous. Thieves and robbers line the road, seeking to kill and destroy, not only individuals, but people groups and nations. As I write, Christians and their children are being slaughtered in the Middle East for not denying their faith.
The Christian world today must unite as never before. There is so much at stake. Well known historian, Samuel Huntington was absolutely “spot on” when he spoke of “a clash of civilizations.” There is no compatibility with a religion which declares, “Kill the infidel (unbeliever) if he doesn’t believe” and our faith which declares “Come unto me (Christ) all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” The former is coercion or face the consequence… death! The latter is an invitation… to acceptance, peace and empowerment, to live in harmony in the name of Christ. Speaking bluntly, of course all religions are not the same. Multiculturalism, as understood today is a crock! Another form of the devil’s work… believe the lie!
Reflecting historically, I (with many others) believe Martin Luther was not seeking separation from the visible Church. He was seeking refinement and a return to basics that had obscured the reality and definity of “faith alone.” It led to an expulsion he had not foreseen, expected or sought. Is splintering of the church inevitable when correction and refinement is required? This is a question the church must answer in every generation. If not, we drift in a sea of complacency and compliancy. We may be divided and conquered without unity and a willingness to die for the cause of Christ.
Pope Francis’s statement, “There are many brothers and sisters who share our faith in Christ, but who belong to other denominations or traditions different than our own,” is true, most admissional and amazing. Had Pope Francis been pope in the 16th Century, there may have been no Protestant Reformation, but simply, a catholic (whole church) reformation. And yet, there was in the truest sense of the term! Disreputable religious practices changed as a result of Luther’s faithful stance! Faith in Christ alone was resurrected.
Reformation! We need our lives to be reformed daily by the Spirit of the living God. Forgiven, cleansed and empowered daily along the journey. “I believe in the holy, catholic church,” as the Apostles creed states so succinctly.
Jesus appealed, with finality, to such unity in His high priestly prayer to the Father in Gethsemane. Unity is written all over this prayer. John 17 is so telling: “My prayer is not for these (the disciples) alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (that’s you and me trekker and all with whom we share the Good News) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (Trekker, this truth should be the catalyst in every age for effective evangelization.) Not by might, nor by power, but by the unifying Spirit of God will the world ultimately be changed! Do you believe this, trekker? Indeed, I do! Only in Christ can the world find peace and unity! On this confession, I take my stand.
I have a proposition for you trekker… in case you hadn’t noticed; I am not subtly trying this month to “bring us together.” (I am reminded of a Churchill quote: “If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver.”) Here is my challenge: If God were to give you renewed vision about your attitude toward Christians of other denominations or persuasions, what might he tell you to do (or not to do) in order to get the unity message over to other believers?
Trekker, I hope you are up for the challenge. It only takes a spark to get a fire going! Will you join Team God today in this great quest for unity? We must be united today as never before! Our earthly lives may depend on it! We must be committed to Christ and the tri-unity.
Standing in commitment with you, your brother,
Jim Meredith
