Where is Unity?

The anger on the streets of Western nations this week, not least the cities of America, reflects a deep agony in our hearts. The agony of centuries of racial prejudice and subjugation, hidden biases and explicit racism are filling our news feeds and we're right to be angry at our shared inability to foster unity through human means.  

Whilst we cannot condone a violent response, we're right to cry with those who cry and we must also be appalled by the way racism still exists even in the Church.

This is nothing new, but in Christ it can be different. 

Reading in Galatians this week we've seen how the biggest challenge facing the early Church was not so much the persecution by outsiders, but the bigotry between those inside, those who called themselves followers of Christ. 

Paul's message in Galatians 3 is pertinent - the Church has been united, and is to demonstrate, a different value system: 
 

"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal 3:28)
 

How fascinating, how raw, how challenging that within just a few years of Pentecost racial pride is dividing the Church. Where is the unity?
The answer, Paul says, is in Christ. 

You see, in every society we have typically turned to violence to 'solve' violence and we expect governments to do what they cannot: Heal our sinful nature. 

We know that in God's eyes black lives matter. And young lives, rich lives and poor ones. And white lives, and every colour in every race. All lives matter. All can be united in Christ.

What's our response? Surely we need to start on our knees - all of us, and repent of giving in to our hidden biases, favouring 'our own' and not valuing those who are not like us. Lord, forgive and help us. 

And then my prayer, much like we prayed in yesterday's Within Reach,  is this:

"Spirit of unity, move again in our time, move in and through the Church again like you did in the upper room, and put the praises of your name on all our lips, in every dialect. And then would you teach us how to celebrate our differences and not ignore or simply tolerate them, but see those who feel unseen, and bring your kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. May we model a different kind of society, and from this bring hope to the hopeless and comfort to those who mourn.
In the name of Jesus, amen and amen..." 

Peace be with you, and among us all. Let’s be part of the difference.

Tim Roberts
Senior Leader