"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, charity; in all things, Christ." The saying captures the heart of what the Free Church was founded on: Christians can disagree deeply and still remain united when the Gospel is central.

Romans 14 shows us how to live in a community where people disagree with us—and we with them—each convinced they are obeying Scripture. Unity is easy when you don't know people. Unity is easy when it's theoretical. But when you find yourself at odds with other believers, remember that Jesus actually prayed you wouldn't be. Real unity costs something. It's hard because it means giving something up.