Unity or Uniformity?

© 2015 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

While directing a small choir in singing portions of Handel’s oratorio, The Messiah, I’ve often thought about Christian unity. Often, the various choir members are not singing the same notes or even the same words at the same time. Frequently a variety of words and notes are vocalized simultaneously. Yet, as they follow the director and the music as written, there results an incredible unity of praise as choir members each voice their unique contributions. The result is thrilling praise to the Lord with a majestic sound that no one choir member could ever produce alone. Nor could they accomplish it by all singing the same thing at the same time!

In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul describes the wisdom and beauty of God’s multifaceted gifts to His people. Each is different but participates elegantly in the unity of the whole body.

“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all” (1 Corinthians 12:3-6).

Who produces Christian unity? God’s sovereign Holy Spirit does, by orchestrating Christ’s living body of believers. It is not a “free-for-all.” Directed by God the Holy Spirit, each Christian worships God the Son, Jesus, as Lord. Individual contributions are unique, but God makes it all fit together perfectly. He is the ultimate director!

Unfortunately, uniformity, levied by men, sometimes replaces unity of the Spirit. A lockstep form of expression replaces the majestic harmony, intended by God the author. A dull, monotonous unison results. Fear of man quenches the Holy-Spirit-directed exercise of individual gifts. In order to avoid discord, harmony is abolished.

All of Christ’s redeemed are spiritually alive! Under Holy Spirit direction, their lives must, in unity, sing forth the following praise to our Savior!

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

 

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