Presented by Julie Busteed

In a society when there is so much discord and argument and division, unity is a rare thing. As a Christ-follower, why do we need to have unity? Jesus gives us this reason:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:20-23).

Being unified in Christ and with the body of Christ is a powerful witness to the world of God’s love. As Christians, our unity in Christ and with other Christians is essential.

But being united doesn’t mean we are all the same. We are uniquely created with different gifts and talents. And yet united!

I love this saying: In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.

Christians need to be of the same mind on the core beliefs—things that matter—that are essential. In church we often recite or read the Apostles Creed, which states some core beliefs of faith: God is the creator. Jesus is his only son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, was crucified, died and buried. On third day, he rose again and sits at the right hand of God, and he will come to judge the world.

I’m summarizing here, but you get the idea.

For Christians, these are non-negotiable beliefs. It doesn’t have anything to do with the worship music, or how the service should be ordered, or what we should wear to church, or any of those other things. Some of those things are important, but they are more preferences—so there’s liberty—or freedom in the “non-essential” things. We may prefer a certain worship style and find other worship styles unsettling, but if those core beliefs are shared, then there’s freedom to worship.

And above all, there’s charity—love! You and I need to make room for other people’s preferences. It doesn’t have to be done exactly our way. God created us uniquely and as a result there are unique ways to worship and serve him.