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Contributed by Phil Spadaro
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Monday, 01 September 2008 |
 Does uniformity imply unity? Does God expect uniformity? Can I be in fellowship with others who are not in lock step with me?
Satan has used a the “uniformity equals unity” argument through the
centuries with great success. Many have been duped into hating their
brothers and waging divisive battles against fellow believers in the
name of unity. However, the real conflict was over adherence to man
made standards.
Uniformity - the state or quality of being uniform; overall sameness, homogeneity, or regularity: uniformity of style. (Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.)
Unity - a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one. (Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.)
From the earliest parts of the bible, God shows his desire for unity without the need for uniformity. Note in Genesis 1:26, 27 and 2:20-24 the degree of unity and the separation of roles. In chapter one we are told that man and woman are made in the image of God, yet their roles are certainly not the same as the Lord's. In chapter man and woman are unified in their worship of God, occupation and freedom within the garden and restriction for touching the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, they had different roles to fulfill. Eve was Adam's helper (Genesis 2:20) and a man would form a new family when married (Genesis 2:24).
Although the all the tribes and families of Israel were considered holy (Exodus 19:5-7), each tribe and family was distinct. The Levites had exclusive rights to serve at the tabernacle and temple (Numbers 1:51). The Aaronic priests were the only ones allowed to make sacrifices for the people, not even kings were authorized to do so (1 Samuel 13:9). Without distinction, why have families and tribes? Did their tribe or family determine their relationship with God?
In the New Testament, God spells out the need for unity without uniformity in 1 Corinthians. Unity is commanded in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” Paul's appeal is for them to agree on fundamentals of faith and on the basis of Jesus Christ and not who is leading. Later, in the same letter, Paul tells the Corinthians the importance of various roles within the body of Christ (the church). “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12) We are a unit (unified, one body) with different roles, functions, gifts and insight (not uniform or all alike).
The fragmentation of the Restoration Movement can many times be traced to an unhealthy and misperceived want for uniformity when in reality what is needed is unity. Uniformity is about following the rules of men but unity requires effort to keep Spiritual bonds (Ephesians 4:3). Uniformity is inbreeding and generates narrow vision and weakness. Unity is forged and encourages diversity to strengthen the body as a whole – it is not about one man, but the family of God. Let us pray for unity and avoid the pitfalls of uniformity.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 01 September 2008 )
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