One Lord, One Faith
“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” Though I am almost certain you’ve never heard of him, this quote is attributed to a German theologian named Rupertus Meldenius (just try pronouncing that). I love that quote. I believe in this wholeheartedly. But let’s be real—interacting and rubbing shoulders with real-life sinful and broken people makes this lovely sentence almost unimaginable. It is hard to stress the essentials, to give liberty and to act charitably toward others.
I do believe that if we got our biblical anthropology right, we might be more united, in liberty, and charity. Biblical anthropology is simply the Bible’s way of discussing what it is to be human. What is Man according to the Bible?
First, each person is created in the image of God. God says humans are good. You are good. I am good. Fundamental to our created nature is that we are the crowning point formation of creation: We are good and pleasing to God. My grandmother used to say “God don’t make junk!” Made in the image of God, we are good. Very good. The creature is not a mistake or not without worth. Just the opposite, we are wonderfully made by our Creator.
Second, however, and what I believe is largely downplayed, the Bible describes how incredibly broken and sinful we are because of the Fall. We are not good morally, ethically, in our character, our thinking, our will, our emotions. Therefore, we are broken and sinful in our rebellion against God, and that shows in all our relationships: first, with Him, then, with every other person on this planet. You’ve heard it said, “The problem with the world… is ME!”
The third factor in our biblical anthropology is whether or not someone has been made new through the salvation offered by Jesus Christ. Christ’s redemption on the cross, once applied and received by faith, transforms a person. We downplay this. We frequently think (and act) as though our faith is a side gig; or a part-time job. But, being a Christian is the key identity factor in our existence. Biblically speaking, you have more in common with a person from another country, who may not speak your language or be of your skin color or intellect or social status than you do with non-Christian members of your own household.
Given this biblical understanding of humanity, the unifying factor for all of us in the church is that we are (1) made in the image of God, (2) fallen and sinful, desperately needing a Savior and (3) saved and redeemed by Jesus Christ alone. Our unity, our liberty and our charity rests in Christ.
So, what is Christian unity as we gather this week as the body in ONE worship service at Hebron (10AM in the Sanctuary!)? It is not that we all know each other, like each other, or think the same way. It’s not that we hold to the same political stance or dress the same or value the same things. We may not look alike or act alike: What makes us unified across the board is that Jesus is our Savior! We are the people of God, the church, each made in the image of God, desperately sinful and broken and needing the redemption of Jesus. For some, this redemption has happened. For others in our midst at Hebron, we pray that will yet happen. That’s the unity we should long for. The unity that is good and pleasant in God’s eyes: That Christ would be known, exalted, loved and served. To the praise of His Glory, may we seek true oneness in Christ!
In preparation for worship this week, read Psalm 133.
1. This psalm is part of the “Psalms of Ascents,” which means that people would sing it on the way to worship. Why would this be a good song to come to church with?
2. In verse 1, the psalmist asserts that it is good to dwell in unity—What is good about unity? Why would unity be stressed here?
3. Why do you think blessings are associated with “oil running down the beard”? Why would this be a good metaphor for blessings?
4. Same question for the “dew of Hermon”? Hermon was a central mountain in Israel, one of the highest. Why would dew be like blessings?
5. Where have you experienced the greatest sense of unity? What helped bring it about? How can we foster that more faithfully?
