“That They May Be One” - Tim Phillips

My family and I recently returned from our annual “end of June” vacation (our anniversary is on June 30, so we try to take a vacation around that time). While driving around in my mom’s hometown, I noticed something unusual. The First Methodist Church had a tarp banner tied over their regular church sign. The new sign simply read “First Methodist Church” in large black letters on a white background. If you peeked under the tarp, you could still see the old United Methodist Church denominational logo. There was nothing wrong with the old sign – they were simply trying to cover up the UMC logo. This was obviously one of the Methodist churches planning to leave the UMC over recent controversies.

Deciding to leave a church or denomination is never an easy decision. Are there valid reasons to leave? Sometimes there are. A change in geographical location may be one (e.g., moving to an area where there are no churches in your denomination; on the other hand, this might be an opportunity to plant a new church!). A change in theological perspective might be a valid reason (e.g., a Baptist becomes convinced of Presbyteriancovenant theology; this is why I am a Presbyterian and no longer a Baptist). Serious doctrinal error is a valid reason (if a church is not preaching the gospel or teaching a false Christ, that is obviously an issue; I was once a member of a PC(USA) church– and was even married in one – but I am thankful that I am now in the ARPC).

But sometimes churches, denominations, and individuals divide over comparably minor issues (I remember a pastor telling me the story of two congregations that refused to unite because they could not agree on a service time). Even at our recent meeting of General Synod, there were instances of delegates (only a couple) who threatened (on behalf of their congregations!) to leave the denomination if a vote did not go a certain way. While the church I mentioned above was leaving a liberal denomination over a serious moral and biblical issue, the topic we were debating at Synod – while important – was not on the same scale. It’s a bit like a married couple arguing and threatening to split and go their separate ways if something doesn’t change. If that’s because one of them is committing adultery, then that’s a serious (and biblically valid) concern. If it’s because one of them didn’t get to watch a favorite TV show, then the threat comes across as spiteful and petty.

This is not what the Lord wants from His church. In fact, it is something He prayed for. The men’s group at our church recently finished our study of Sinclair Ferguson’s Lessons from the Upper Room (the women of our denomination will have an opportunity to study this book in the near future, as this was an approved study book at Synod; it is a fantastic book and highly recommended). In the last chapter of the book, Dr. Ferguson focuses on Jesus’ prayer from John 17:20-26. After praying for His disciples earlier in the chapter, Jesus specifically prays for unity for believers: “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one” (John 17:20-21; emphasis added). If Jesusspecifically prays to God the Father for this unity, it is not an inconsequential thing we can easily dismiss.

This kind of unity is often desired by the world and mimickedby the world, but it is impossible for the world to replicate it. It is an inferior form of unity. Dr. Ferguson writes:

There is nothing in the world like this unity. It cannot be imitated in clubs, in sports teams, or in the esprit de corpsof a school. Relationships in these contexts are natural, rooted in a common interest or commitment. But the unity of disciples is supernatural, patterned after the very being of God. And it is created by the indwelling of one and the same Holy Spirit in each member of the fellowship. (p. 214)

Jesus’ desire is that His disciples (His devoted, committed followers) would be united. We must be united around His word. We must be united around His gospel and its promises. We must be united by the power of His Spirit which He graciously gives to His people. We must be united because the world needs to see the unity which the gospel creates among believers in the Christian church.

I often remark to our congregation that I grew up as an only child, and I therefore never had the opportunity for anyone to call me “brother” – that is until I became a Christian. I still remember the first time another Christian called me “brother.” It was special, and it implied a familial unity which I had not known before. All believers deserve to know that kind of unity in the body of Christ.

Brothers (and sisters), let us look to the example of our Lord. Let us pray for this unity.