“Too big for our own britches” is a phrase that is used to describe an arrogant attitude. Does it describe us?

1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.

Anytime we think we have the market cornered on knowledge, we’d better use that way of thinking as a warning to take a step back mentally–and maybe literally–and look around. It could be that the point of God’s exercise in holiness may not be understanding the passage or concept, but in accepting those who don’t think like us. Jesus’ prayer for us was that we would be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:20-23).

Take, for instance, trans-substantiation of the Eucharist. Many Christians believe that the bread and wine when they take the Lord’s Supper become the literal body and blood of Christ. Many others believe that they are both literal and figurative (con-substantiation), and then many believe that it is only figurative (impanation), which is that Christ’s presence is in the bread and wine, but they are still bread and wine. Many of us take the bread and (new) wine as a commemoration of His life and sacrifice, and pledge anew our devotion to Him. Actual, figurative or symbolic–who is right?

Another example of an exercise in unity is baptism, which we won’t get into today. Really, any point of controversy is an opportunity to take a step back and unify in Christ. If Christ is leading them as He leads us, but does not give enlightenment in these areas, then the point must be our unity in Christ rather than in being right.

The real question is, do we all love Jesus? Are we committed to following Him wherever He goes? Are we following Jesus’ command to love each other as He has loved us? Then we all should be able to come together in unity and bless the Lord. Let’s try it, shall we?

Abba, we commit ourselves once again to Your sovereignty and omniscience. You alone know absolute truth; we are subject to what the Spirit shows us. May we be about unity rather than rightness. May we focus on what we have in common, which is You, and rejoice together in You, Jesus. As in the parable of the wheat and the tares, You will sort out the truth for us in the new age. Unify us, O Lord. We need it! Amen.