Christian Living

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    From the first century church until the present day, sincere and conscientious Christians have had differing theological viewpoints on a host of issues. In Romans 14, we read of individual Christians having diverse opinions on how certain days are to be regarded as well as what types of foods Christians should eat. Over the span of church history, disagreements have arisen on topics such as the right understanding of eschatology, election, continuation of sign gifts, and the nature and mode of the sacraments.
    In order for Christians who take different positions on theological issues to engage in collaboration and mutual support that honors Christ and His Word, there must be an agreement on the primary essentials of the Christian faith. That is, there are certain doctrines that cannot be denied and still maintain the moniker of “Christian” in the New Testament sense. These doctrines become the bond that unites Christians as well as the basis for true biblical cooperation. As the apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:4-6, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Christians are united in the faith by their confession of the following doctrines: The full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, his virgin birth, his substitutionary atonement on the cross for our sins, his physical resurrection from the dead, that there is but one God, who exists as a Trinity of Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, and that Jesus is the only way to the Father.
    Having laid the foundation of cooperation, I would like to examine four areas in which Christians can work together that leads to the edification of the body of Christ and the advancement of His kingdom. The first area I would like to put forward is prayer. Christians, being brothers and sisters, have the same spiritual Father and thus, equal access to Him. In Romans 15:30, Paul admonishes the church, who had disagreements as mentioned before, “to strive together with me, in your prayers to God for me.” Over the years, as a Christian, I have had the privilege of praying with believers from other churches and denominations in small group settings for the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers, the persecuted church, and conversion of the lost. I have also witnessed answered prayer, having prayed together with those brothers and sisters with whom I had some theological disagreements.
    A second area is Bible study. Since all Christians have the Spirit of God dwelling within, Christians who have various viewpoints, can gather around God’s Word, seeking to be guided by the Spirit, into all truth as Jesus promised. As someone who has been a part of Bible studies with friends from different theological camps where "hot topics and issues" were discussed, I have witnessed iron sharpening iron.  When dialogue and discussion occurs between believers who hold different viewpoints, there is the potential of believers being instructed into a deeper and more biblical understanding of the faith, potentially having misunderstandings corrected, as well as the sharing of a mutual love for the Scriptures.
    A third area in which Christians can work together is in ministering to the poor and destitute. Both Old and New Testaments testify to the concern that God has for the poor and His people are instructed in many places to not forget them. In Galatians 2:9-10, Paul and his companions were admonished to “remember the poor.” I have had the opportunity in taking two short term missions trips with a group of Christians, who though having different theological positions, was able to cooperate with them in distributing rice, beans, and sugar to poor Christian and non-Christian villagers. We had the common joy of seeing people blessed along with the awareness that more can be accomplished when believers work together for the good of others.
    A fourth area in which Christians can cooperate with each other is in standing together for righteous causes, such as the right to life or being advocates for victims of sex trafficking. Proverbs 31:8 tells us to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”  Christians from different churches and denominations can join together in promoting legislation that honors God and His laws due to their mutual desire to honor God and obey His commands.
    Although theological disagreement exists between Christians, there is real and substantial agreement, a common union and commitment to the Lord, His Word, and His will. To be sure, perfect theological harmony will not occur until the Second Coming of Christ, when our sinful flesh will be eradicated forever and our minds perfectly renewed. In the meantime, Christians of all types should desire what Christ desired in His high priestly prayer “Neither do I pray for these alone, but for those also who shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in me, and I in You, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that You have sent me” (John 17:20-21). One of the greatest testimonies Christians can give to a lost and dying world is to unite on essential truths shared in Christian love, expressed in word and deed, in service to both Christians and non-Christians.

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