unity – Page 2 – Paul Nordman

Unity’s Unlikely Starting Point

Late last year, a fellow Kairos volunteer wrote me a heartfelt reflection on prison ministry in general and some kind words of personal affirmation, as well. His note touched me and moved me to pen a reply from which I share this brief excerpt: “Throughout the past year, the word that keeps coming to me is ‘unity.’ How powerfully God acts when we submit to Him — and to each other — in unity. It starts with each and every man on the team.”

Life, even among believers, isn’t always so harmonious, is it? The word “unification” itself implies separation as a starting point — “E Pluribus” we get, but “Unum” is elusive. What does division and discord among us look like? Ever plainspoken, the apostle James confronts believers for our self-centeredness that divides: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? . . . You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.”¹ And Paul, with an edgy rebuke, chides the Corinthians for their divisive pride: “I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.”² Such division is as sinister as it is ugly, for James teaches us, “envy and selfish ambition in your hearts . . . does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”³

Then how must we commence? Paul exhorts us to consciously choose unity over discord. “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”⁴ In other words, elevate the body of Christ over all that would carve it to ineffective pieces. Then do we for the sake of unity compromise the Word of God in appeasement and acquiescence? Not at all! Rather, even in our differences and interpersonal struggles, let us never lose sight of who we are and Whose we are: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”⁵ Then let us depart from division and flourish in the oneness that is ours in Christ Jesus.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” — Romans 12:10 NIV

Father, Your ways are higher than ours. In wisdom and love, You have united us in Christ. Deliver us from the evil one, that we will grow up together and bring glory to Your name. In Christ we pray. Amen.

¹ James 4:1-2 NIV
² 1 Corinthians 11:18-19 NIV
³ James 3:14-16 NIV
⁴ 1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV
⁵ 1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV

Freedom in Forgiveness

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:12 KJV

There was some agitation in our small group, stemming from one person, who, critical by nature, carried a negativity, moreover the kind of person who is hard on others, yet soft on themselves. Privately, another small group member poured out his anger and frustration to me. It was easy to relate, for I was frustrated, too. When it was time to respond, I said, “We can’t let this divide us. We must forgive and be unified.” There was a pause, then my friend broke the silence, “I don’t know if I can. I’ve prayed about it, but I don’t know if I can.” I understood.

At times like these, I consider one of Jesus’ most convicting parables, “The Unmerciful Servant,” which is found in Matthew 18:21-35. Here, Jesus tells a fictitious story of a master who completely forgives a servant of an enormous, unpayable debt. Yet upon leaving, the newly liberated servant seizes a fellow servant who was indebted to him, but on a much smaller scale. Despite his co-worker’s plea, the one who had received forgiveness refuses to extend the same mercy to him. It is a powerful parable, and every time I ponder it, I realize this: No single person has ever offended me nearly as much as I, in my sin, have offended God. Not even close. So, if we are forgiven much, how can we not forgive others of less? Then, again, how can we?

I think it starts at the realization that our forgiveness is not merely a lofty concept or beautiful words on a page, rather, it is true. At great cost, our enormous, unpayable debt has been canceled; we need no longer live under its weight. In this we thrive. Consider the woman who had led a sinful life: as Jesus reclined at a dinner table, “she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”¹ Note Jesus’ response, “I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”² Did you catch it? Our ability to love as Jesus loves begins with the realization our sins truly are forgiven. Love then flows. And in this wonderful, liberating truth, we can “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”³ Forgiveness takes a decision, and as forgiven people, it is one we can make. Forgive, and thrive as one.

Father, thank You for forgiving my sins, the depths of which I cannot fathom. Fill me, Holy Spirit, that I in humility, gratitude, and joy may forgive others. In Christ I pray. Amen.

¹ Luke 7:37-38 NIV
² Luke 7:47 NIV
³ Colossians 3:13 NIV