Chain Blog: solving the problem

I've been tooling around with some ideas on how to contribute to the chain of blogs set forth by Alan Knox on the topic of division.  There have already been five great posts in the chain.  Be sure to check them out, there's some really good stuff going down.

“Links” in this chain blog:

1. “Chain Blog: Dealing with Divisive Issues Introduction” by Alan
2. “Chain Blog: Dealing with divisive issues starts with love” by Arthur
3. “I am divisive” by Jeremy
4. “Chain Blog: Please agree with me” by Jon
5. “Division and our shared humanity” by Andy

This is the sixth post in the chain and I know more are coming.

1. If you would like to write the next blog post (link) in this chain, leave a comment stating that you would like to do so. If someone else has already requested to write the next link, then please wait for that blog post and leave a comment there requesting to write the following link.
2. Feel free to leave comments here and discuss items in this blog post without taking part in the actual “chain”. Your comments and discussion are very important in this chain blog.
3. When you write a link in this chain, please reply in the comments of the previous post to let everyone know that your link is ready. Also, please try to keep an updated list of links in the chain at the bottom of your post, and please include these rules at the bottom of your post.

So that's how we do this thing and now its time to make this chain a little longer.

If we want to solve the division problem it is important to ask ourselves the question: "what is the opposite of division?" Many of the previous writers in the chain have alluded to unity as being the goal and opposite of division. I agree that division is a tool of our nemesis to prevent the unity of the church. Yet, as I read what was written to the churches in the NT, what I see is that unity is something we already have in Christ. We are to hold on to it, it is ours already. It's not something we have to work for, but something we have to be mindful of. Christ prayed for it in the garden and with the coming of the Holy Spirit I believe it has been given. If then, we are already united in Christ, why are we still divided? And how do we overcome that division and walk in unity?

Well, my answer is rooted in what I do everyday: math. Yep, in my mathematics riddled mind the opposite of division is multipilication. I know that thought seems pretty whacked, even coming from me but before you go gettin' all technical on me, check out how it clicks in my noggin.  There are several good answers to the question like faith, humility and love along with many practical ways to keep the gospel of Christ crucified at the center of any disagreement but I'm gonna stick with the math angle because I think weird.

Consider this: if we work hard with our focus and efforts aimed at unity with one another, what is the result? We eventually reach our goal of unity. YAY!  But as I said in the beginning, I believe unity has already been granted, it is something we already have in Christ and our job is to walk in it by faith.  There is a huge difference between trying to make something happen by our own strength, our knowledge of right and wrong (good and evil) and living by the divine life in hope of the promises already secured for us in Christ.  With that faith as our starting point where should our focus be? On our great commission!  Now doesn't that put just the slightest kink in the chain?!  What can I say?  I'm a rebel.

This is where the math comes in. Instead of focusing on how to be unified we can focus on the work set before us. We are free to turn the world upside down. We rest in the finished work of Christ and bring others into that rest. With multiplication as our factor and Christ as our sum we are no longer too busy solving the division problems that have already been solved. The secondary issues and personal preferences fade into the background. The fractions are broken down and we establish that the least common denominator is Christ. We rightly see how we are various shapes and sizes but are members of one whole. The variables in the equation are all solved and we find that all the X's and Y's are changed into numbers being added to the kingdom.  Math:  it"s like the divine order of all things.

We must see ourselves as we are in Christ and move on from there. We are different members united into one body, a new man. All this striving to get to the starting line means we haven't even begun to run the race. It's impossible to finish well in a race we haven't begun.

So, how do we attain unity? We can't, Christ prayed for that for us and it has been granted through his indwelling.  We can continue to pray like Paul did for the church in Rome

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:5-7 ESV)

What is the opposite of division?  Multiplication.  So let's get back to work doing what God created us to do and follow the instructions he gave before the fall

 “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Or in the words of Jesus

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)