Super Glue
Theme of the Week: United for Impact
David Shenk
Monday, April 19, 2004
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: Do your part to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18). Bonus Reading:Rom. 12:9–17
The unity of the church is more profound than a shared confession of Christ as Lord and Savior. There's a special unity the Holy Spirit creates among those who meet together in Jesus' name. It's a bond more enduring and precious than family ties. It's a unity that transcends denominational diversity.
Our world is divisive: nation against nation, labor against management, culture against culture. But societies are somehow aware that the church's nature makes it a nurturer of bonds of unity among diverse peoples.
A few years ago a church community in Tanzania of about 30,000 members was experiencing a break along tribal lines. All African nations struggle to maintain harmony among their widely diverse languages and societies. In most nations the church is the most authentic intertribal community. If the church divides along tribal lines, the nation can't survive.
It's not surprising, therefore, that the Muslim president of Tanzania met with the leaders of this divided church. "Be the church," he counseled. "Preserve the unity of the church. Practice what your Bible teaches!"
—David Shenk in Surprises of the Christian Way
My Response: How do Christians splintering over non-essential issues cast doubt on the gospel's validity?
Thought to Apply: It is only as we join together with others who look different than we do but share a common love and commitment to Jesus that we can know the completeness of the body of Christ.
—Bob Snyder
Adapted from Surprises of the Christian Way (Herald Press, 2000) by permission.
Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click
for reprint information.
1 of 1
 share this page
Lord, turn my critical eyes inward so I may grow in grace. Transform my snap judgments of other Christians into prayer, understanding, and service.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| 
RSS Feed
