Unity, Diversity, and Charity

“In the essentials, unity.  In the non-essentials, liberty.  In all things, charity.”  This is a quote that has been attributed to St. Augustine, John Wesley, and many others.  Regardless of who said it, I believe that it is supported by the New Testament.  As Christians, there are some issues that are so central to our faith that it would be hard to find spiritual camaraderie with a person or a group who didn’t believe as we do.  Things like the Apostles Creed would fall into this category.  There are also matters that are non-essential to our faith.  They might impact the way we express our faith and how we do certain things.  But being for or against these non-essential beliefs don’t place us outside of the family of God.

We can argue about what is an essential belief and what is non-essential.  But the most important part of this quote is the last sentence: “In all things, charity.”  This is not up for debate.  Opinions may vary in our church and in our denomination about a number of issues.  But our love for one another must not.  We can have robust and healthy discussions about politics, theology, and other hot topics.  But we may not do it without love.  In fact, if we fail at love, it matters little how right or wrong we are about what is essential.  We will have missed the whole point of the second greatest commandment.  We live in divisive times.  And I suppose there isn’t much we can do to make people agree.  Yet you can choose to love those who think, believe, or vote differently than you.  In doing so, you will be accomplishing far more than agreement.  Loving someone is always more powerful than convincing someone.