Beloved, my last message looked at the deep Bible truth of partnering with God—our close walk with Him as He wants, based on 1 John 4:19: > "We love, because He first loved us" (NASB).
If we love God, we want His presence in every part of life. Even those far from Him may one day see their great need, before it's too late. As a songwriter said, "When you go down the road to find truth, you will always find Jesus!" Today, we go deeper into God's command to be together—the heart of fellowship in Christ. Without it, there is no true church or kingdom. Psalm 133:1 says: > "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!" (NASB).
A 2024 Pew Research study shows a sad fact: 28% of American adults claim no religion. This beats Catholics (23%) and evangelicals (24%). Called the "Nones," many reject church not from atheism, but because they see harm in it. They use logic and avoiding harm for morals, ignoring what science can't measure. If they can't understand it, they skip it. But Proverbs 14:12 warns: > "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death" (NASB).
Without Christ as our bond, we share only our sin nature. Romans 3:23 says: > "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (NASB).
The "Nones" show deep division: truth hurts, so unity breaks into self-focus. But Jesus says clearly: > "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6, NASB).
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). Acts 4:12 adds: > "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved" (NASB).
These are not harsh words, but our loving hope.
Has our church had fights, splits, or quarrels? Yes, like every church since Jesus' time. Paul was sad about Corinth: > "For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers and sisters, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you" (1 Corinthians 1:11, NASB). He urged: > "Now I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10, NASB).
Corinth's problems match our temptations. But Paul says: > "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:13, NASB).
Early leaders like Ignatius warned against splits as heresy. Today, they continue, but we can stop them.
What holds us together despite differences? Not race, beliefs, gender, or background—Christ's death covers all: > "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18, NASB).
If Jesus died only for one group or perfect people, the cross would be worthless to others. But 1 John 2:2 says: > "and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (NASB).
The hymn *Onward, Christian Soldiers!* says it well: "Like a mighty army moves the church of God... We are not divided; all one body we, One in hope and doctrine, one in charity."
John Calvin taught this church unity in Christ. Brothers and sisters, the cross unites us—foolish to the lost, life to believers.
To stop division, speak truth in love. Ephesians 4:25 commands: > "Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are parts of one another" (NASB).
Being together in Christ does not mean same thoughts, but worship in spirit and truth: > "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24, NASB).
Think of Cain and Abel. Abel's offering by faith pleased God: > "By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain... he obtained the testimony that he was righteous" (Hebrews 11:4, NASB). Cain's did not, leading to murder from anger (Genesis 4:3-8). God judges hearts. Unity grows when we follow God's way, not ours.
Quarrels grieve the Spirit, but Christ can stop them. Ephesians 4:3 says: > "being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (NASB).
We are God's family—together against worldly "Nones" or church fights. Check your heart: Do you build unity? Confess splits, speak truth in love, and go forward as one.
> "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NASB).
This call to be together in Christ needs action, as James 1:22 says: > "prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves" (NASB).
Brothers and sisters, imagine Corinth today: Chloe's people report not sword fights, but squabbles over the church potluck—'Paul's team wants potato salad; Apollos prefers deviled eggs!' We laugh, but aren't we the same? Fighting over hymn speeds, thermostat wars, or carpet colors—blue for the young, beige for the wise—while the world marches toward destruction! Satan chuckles as we trip like clumsy soldiers in a three-legged race. But hear Paul: No more! In Christ's cross, we're one body—potato or egg, hot or cold—marching onward, not stumbling. Praise God, the blood of Jesus washes out every stain, every split. United, we conquer!
What must we do? We confess our sins honestly and openly before God. Let God wipe the slate clean; start over if you will. We then speak truth in love that is not designed to be harmful, even if you don’t get your way. Then we anchor our lives in God while we endure the daily battles that plaque our doorsteps. We study God’s word, pray for His presence, strength and hope, and ask God for us not to be biased people, but loving, tender and merciful. Then we ask God to help us share our story with others. Tell people about Jesus that came to not condemn but to save. And certainly not least, proclaim God’s victory that we are indeed His children while wailing the victory flag in being a Christian Soldier. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
POEM One in the Cross
From shadowed paths where Nones now roam,
To churchly halls where quarrels foam,
Hear Peter's cry, so bold, so sure:
"Salvation's name is Christ alone!" (Acts 4:12)
No creed of man, no fleeting creed,
Binds Jew or Greek in unity's need—
One Spirit drinks, one body we,
In wisdom's word, richly dwell free. (Col. 3:16)
Speak truth in love, confess the rift,
March onward, soldiers, swift and swift!
The cross our bond, our endless song—
In Christ, forever, we belong.