Part One: Why grace over world views matter
The things we think and do while we live on earth reflect our belief systems and world views. If we engage in worldly disputes within the Church, how can we be united as Jesus’ followers reaching out to a lost world? What are the points of view that divide believers? Some are political, some cultural, some preferential, and others simply personal. Paul discussed what people eat and what days people hold sacred as places for grace. What we wear to church, what kind of music we sing, which translation of the Bible we use, movies we watch, the education choices we make for our children, and even things like vaccines, masks, alcohol, or tattoos – these are not essential. While we may not agree on everything, we must not allow differences of opinion to divide us.
The world we live in hates us, or rather, it hates Christ in us. Post a Bible verse publicly on social media and see how quickly the comments of disdain add up. Television and movies have made Christians out to be either idiots or villains. Jesus was clear that his followers would be hated because of him (John 15:18, John 17:14) and the evidence of that hatred is more and more evident with each passing year. It is easy to become either defensive or discouraged, but when we remember our true home we see that our citizenship is not of this world (Philippians 3:20). We are travelers here, chosen by God to share His gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit and with conviction that comes from being grounded in the essentials of our faith. People of the world, especially those who actively battle against Jesus try to suppress the truth by their actions, words, financial support, and influence on others. We live in the middle of a war for the souls of the lost and we must unify so that we, as Rechab Gray preached, “to fight right.” It is a battleground, so Paul wrote using armor as imagery for making our way through each day:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm…To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6: 10-18).
How we live in the battle and how we work out our salvation should be testimony to our changed lives. We must know and acknowledge our empowerment is not of ourselves, but of God, Himself. It is, as Gray preached, “a cosmic calling” that “requires… a comprehensive supernatural force” to live out. We must do good here on earth, loving justice and mercy while we walk humbly and keeping our eyes and hearts turned toward heaven. God instructs us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1). How do we do that? By being imitators of Jesus, walking in love (Ephesians 5:1). By acknowledging that we cannot, by our power, do anything without the grace of God (Ephesians 4:7).
There is a balance to be struck. There is the danger of being one of the people Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. called “so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good.” Paul addresses that balance in the last two chapters of Ephesians. Generally, he says we are to be wise, to expose the “unfruitful works of darkness,” and to “discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5: 2, 10-11, 15). We must refrain from insulating ourselves in holy huddles (or tribes, as Gray calls them). We must look beyond what makes us comfortable and what is easy and resist “the schemes of the devil” (1 Peter 5:8-9). Not in passive resistance, but actively standing against the evil that surrounds us.
There are differing opinions about what it looks like to stand firm in active battle, but the common goal must be to present a unified front. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we agree on fundamental facts:
First, we believe in God the Father who created, and now holds in being, the universe and its contents. We ourselves are his creatures, who depend on him for our life and health. Through Christ we are also his children, who depend on his grace for forgiveness and constant renewal.
Secondly, we believe in Jesus Christ in his real humanity and real deity, since the evidence for these truths is strong. Solid too are the grounds for belief in his virgin birth, atoning death, and bodily resurrection. Now we eagerly await his return in power and glory to consummate all things.
Thirdly, we believe in the Holy Spirit, for he is also God, and fully personal. Not only was he active in the processes of creation and revelation, but he shares in sustaining the universe. And in particular, he draws people to Christ, enables us to believe in Christ, forms Christ in us, and constitutes the church the body of Christ. Above all else he loves in these ways to bear witness to Christ (Stott, 2014, p 8)
Christianity is neither creed nor code of conduct (Stott), but rather a relationship with the Maker and Sustainer of all things through the power of the Holy Spirit by the work of Jesus Christ alone. All believers agree on these things; they are the only things of importance from an eternal perspective. A unified front cannot be divided based on earthly points of view. Our home and our hope are heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4; Matthew 6:19). The things of this earth are temporary, the things of the Kingdom are eternal.
Our mindsets should inspire us to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with pure hearts while we meet the needs of the people around us (2 Timothy 2:22). At the same time, we must also remember that Jesus was clear that his kingdom is of another world; we are sojourners here (Matthew 6:33, John 18:36-37, 1 Peter 2:11-12). Our time on this earth is a blink of an eye; let us not squander our days in trivial pursuits, but rather treat each other with grace and love, so that together we reflect the mercy and love of God to the broken world around us.
Resources:
Gray, Rechab, (2022, May 15). Stronger Together: Ephesians 6:10-12. Fellowship Bible Church [Sermon]. Fellowship Bible Church Worship Service May 15, 2022 – Stronger Together
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Rimer, Sara. (2017) Loaded Research Question
Preserving Your Gear: An In-Depth Guide to Tactical Equipment Maintenance
Stott, J. R. W. (2014). Christian Basics: A Handbook of Christian Faith. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
Defaulting to Grace 