Uzice, Serbia, is heavily influenced by the Serbian Orthodox Church. Though the most basic tenants of the Orthodox faith are completely Biblical, the excess teachings of their priests and the Tradition (spelled with a capital T, because it does carry that level of importance) they have elevated to have equal status with the Bible pose very real threats to the salvation of Orthodox individuals. There are many barriers to personal relationships with Jesus Christ. I say this not from a position of superiority (after all, the worship of material things so prevalent in the American churches I love also poses a legitimate threat to salvation), but from a position of observation.
The Orthodox Churches we visited were ornate and awe-inspiring. One was even built in the 13th century. Grand, faded, paintings covered every almost every inch of open wall space and where there were no paintings, there was gold of all shapes and sizes—gold trim, gold altars, and gold candle holders. People would stop by on occasion to pay tribute to local saints and to kiss icons (paintings that are viewed as “windows to heaven”). Though there was an overwhelming sense of routine, there was little to no sense of personal relationship.
I was very curious to see the stance my team would take on the Orthodox Church. Would we, out of love, combat it with what seem to be solidly understood Biblical truths, or would we appease it, counting the fact that they use the term “Christian” as enough, and direct our focus to those who openly called themselves unbelievers? I was thrilled that we came to the mutual understanding that we would press forward in service of an unhindered Gospel.
Unity is indeed a very Biblical concept and should be strived for on as many occasions as possible. Paul, in Colossians, tells us to “put on love, the perfect bond of unity” (Colossians 3:14) and describes believers as “one body” (1 Corinthians 12:12). Unity is essential in maintaining the strength of the body of Christ, insofar as unity means putting aside our petty personal differences and suppressing our human tendency to gossip. Such practices are severe hindrances to the advance of the Gospel.
Unity, however, should never be idolized above the truth of the Gospel. The Bible seems to make it clear that
unity is a means to an end; the middle link in the process; not the final destination. When we overlook differences that could, as clearly as our discernment can tell us, be legitimate hindrances to a fellow individual’s salvation, for the sake of “unity”, we are effectively reversing the means and the end.
I am not, in any way, insinuating that the group of believers we call The Body of Christ must agree on everything—practically, this will never happen. We will, of course, need to use our discernment throughout these 11 months as to what we will consider “minor details” and what we will consider “serious Gospel issues.” We don’t all need to agree on whether Song of Solomon should be interpreted literally or figuratively, because this question has limited (if any) Gospel importance. It is absolutely essential, however, that we stand firm on the principles of salvation; namely, that we are all inherently sinners (Romans 3:23), that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father (John 14:6), and that our response to these truths has irreversible, eternal implications.
I experienced (and am still experiencing) the same struggle regarding when to embrace unity and when to embrace division, not just within the professing Body of Christ, but as I relate experiences of these 11 months to non-Christians in my body of friends. I struggle with how to respond to statements like “you will experience so many different customs,” “it is great to make a social justice impact,” and “this will be one heck of an 11 month geography lesson.” I regret that I have not been fearless enough in my responses.
After all, I don’t see anything wrong with agreeing with any of these statements! I will experience many different customs and it will be one heck of a geography lesson! I should celebrate these agreements as they are legitimate ways of expressing the love of Christ (1 Corinthians 13:2) and because we are called to become all things to all people (1 Corinthians 9:22). If I, however, insinuate, through any of my words or actions, that these agreements are the reason for my going on the World Race or if any of my words or actions mask the true reason for my going (to make known the Gospel of Jesus Christ), then I have idolized unity and placed it in an improper position.
It is interesting that Jesus himself never seemed to esteem unity as the utmost of all virtues. He even expected that His message would bring division. In Luke 12:49-51, the Gospel written to unbelievers, Jesus boldly claimed, “I came to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze. But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how it consumes Me until it is finished! Do you think I came here to give peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on, five in one household will be divided: three against two and two against three.”
Unity is a means to a Gospel end, and I pray that we continue to be both bold and discerning in when to embrace unity and when to accept division.
