Introduction: The Foundation of Christian Community
For a Christian church, the foundation is unshakeably Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. This belief forms the bedrock of our faith (John 14:6, ESV: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”). Our commitment to Christ makes us His disciples, but our love for one another is the true test of our Christian community. Jesus Himself declared, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
1. Distinguishing Core Beliefs from Non-Salvation Issues
The Primary Belief: Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
In Christianity, certain beliefs are foundational for salvation, forming our standing with God. Primarily, the belief in Jesus as the Son of God and our Savior is essential. Paul highlights this in Romans 10:9 (ESV): “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This core belief unites us as Christians and defines our identity as followers of Christ.
Non-Salvation Issues: The Freedom to Differ
Beyond the essentials of salvation, there are many doctrinal and practical issues where believers may have different views. A small example includes:
- End Times: Various perspectives on the details of the end times exist (premillennialism, postmillennialism, amillennialism). These do not affect one’s standing with God.
- Gender Roles: Complementarian and egalitarian views on church roles differ among believers yet do not impact salvation.
- Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Believers may hold different views on whether spiritual gifts continue today or ceased after the apostolic era.
Our salvation is based on faith in Christ, not our position on these secondary matters. Romans 14:1-4 (ESV) reminds us to welcome those with different beliefs on disputable matters, teaching us, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions…Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?”
2. Biblical Example of Unity Amidst Differences: The Jerusalem Council
The early church wrestled with maintaining unity despite differing beliefs. In Acts 15, at the Jerusalem Council, the apostles and elders addressed whether Gentile Christians needed to follow Jewish laws, particularly circumcision. This issue threatened to divide the early church between Jewish and Gentile believers. However, after much debate, the apostles agreed that Gentiles did not need to follow the Jewish customs to be accepted by God (Acts 15:28-29, ESV).
The Jerusalem Council though, also exemplifies how Christians can find unity despite doctrinal disagreements. Rather than impose unnecessary burdens, the leaders encouraged Gentiles to follow essential guidelines, allowing Jewish and Gentile believers to coexist in a unified community centred on Christ. This decision preserved unity by focusing on Christ’s grace and the essentials of the gospel.
3. Paul’s Teachings on Love, Unity, and Diversity in Belief
Paul frequently encouraged the early church to love one another despite differing perspectives on non-salvation issues, emphasizing that unity should not hinge on uniformity of beliefs in these areas. In Romans 14:5-6, Paul addresses differences among believers on the observance of certain holy days and dietary restrictions, writing, “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honour of the Lord.” Here, Paul recognizes that believers may hold diverse convictions, yet each one’s motivation is to honour God. Rather than letting such differences create division, Paul calls the church to pursue unity, allowing love and respect for one another to bind them together. He illustrates that, just as each part of the body has a unique role, believers with different convictions can still function harmoniously within the body of Christ (Romans 14:19).
In Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV), Paul urges the church to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” This passage emphasizes humility, gentleness, and patience as vital to preserving unity, even when differences in belief arise.
4. The Greatest Test of Love: Loving Beyond Differences
The Christian community’s ultimate test is not agreement on every theological point but the capacity to love one another despite differences. Jesus modelled this love, accepting and loving His followers regardless of their backgrounds, failures, and varied perspectives. Romans 5:8 (ESV) captures this unconditional love, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Today, our church communities face similar challenges. Disagreements on non-salvation issues may tempt us to separate ourselves from one another. Yet, we are called to a higher standard—to love each other as Christ loved us. This is how we display the authenticity of our discipleship.
James 2:8 (ESV) calls us to the “royal law” according to Scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” When we prioritize love over doctrinal uniformity, we reflect the heart of Christ and exemplify the church’s true mission.
5. Overcoming Barriers to Love in the Church
To love one another across differences, we must actively remove obstacles that hinder our relationships. Here are practical steps for overcoming barriers to unity:
- Seek Understanding: Engage with one another openly about differing beliefs. “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19).
- Practice Grace and Humility: Recognize that our understanding is limited (“knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up” v2) and accept that others may have different perspectives without being “wrong” (1 Corinthians 8:1-13).
- Focus on Christ’s Commandments: Jesus calls us to love, forgive, and serve each other. Our witness as Christians depends on our commitment to these foundational principles, not uniform beliefs on secondary issues.
Conclusion: Unity through Love as Christ’s Disciples
Our shared commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior forms the basis of the Christian community, while our love for one another solidifies it. Christ’s love in us is more powerful than our theological differences. When we love each other genuinely, even with disagreements, we exemplify the true nature of the body of Christ—a family united by faith and marked by love.
In a world of division, the church is called to be a beacon of unity through the love of Christ. Let us remember Jesus’ words in John 13:35 (ESV): “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” May our love be the enduring witness of our faith, drawing others to Christ through our unity, humility, and unwavering commitment to love each other deeply.
