Time for resurrection of unity
As we arrive at another resurrection Sunday, a question comes to mind that
was first asked more than 2,000 years ago and is still relevant: "What shall
I do with Jesus, which is called Christ?" (Matthew 27:22).
This is a serious question. With all that is going on in our world, this
question still confronts the people of God. What do we do with Jesus? Since
we are truly his hands and feet in this world, it makes sense that we should
deal with the question.
It is sad but true that a lot of times we divide Christ up, instead of
multiplying him. If we are to be his ambassadors, then that itself says we
are to promote Christ and to mimic him. We are to be the ones to exemplify
Christ.
This, however, is not what always happens; instead, we are guilty of
dividing him up. By this, I mean we who are supposed to promote and multiply
instead allow society to define us by denominations instead of lifting up
that which we truly have in common, which is our Christ. Sometimes we are
guilty of lifting up one another's differences instead of those ideals we
have in common.
Can you imagine the power and impact that we would have if we really and
truly decided to be bonded together by the blood of Christ? Can you imagine
how happy it would make God to see his children in true harmony? The world
would have to take notice. The world has yet to see us come together in a
meaningful way. The world has yet to see us demonstrate true unity.
Now if those who profess Christ fail in showing unity, then how can the
world show unity? Where will the world see how things should be done? Where
does the world see a tangible example of godliness? Well, when we multiply
Christ and not divide him, they will see the example in us. Would this not
make Jesus happy?
I believe Christ expects us to show the world what it means to be like him.
Perhaps that is what the Bible mans when we are called "salt." It is an
example of the fact that whatever we touch we should change. We should make
an impact on whatever we are around. That's power! Because Christ promised
us that, whenever we do what he expects us to do, we will have his power.
I know that in this day and time we look more to firepower, but there is a
power that exceeds bombs and bullets; it is Christ's power. The same power
that mended the broken and set the captives free is available to us today.
All that Christ is looking for is a concerted effort by his followers, and I
believe that God will release power like the world has never seen.
Christ himself said that greater works will be possible. And then, to those
who were impressed with all that he did, he turned around and said something
that shocked them. Jesus said, "Greater works will you do." This is an
invitation to access his power.
So what will we do with this invitation to power? How will we use it? The
possibilities are endless. There is so much that can be done. The broken are
growing in numbers. The lost are more confused than ever. People are more
hopeless today. And why would things be any different? After all, the faith
community is so divided within ourselves. We are divided by race,
denomination, economics and education, among other things, and divided we
cannot stand.
As believers, we must commit to the work of coming together in unity. We
must unite for the purpose of kingdom-building. We should used this
resurrection season to become serious about representing our Savior. God has
given us just what we need to impact the world. He died to get us this right
of power. Now what will we do with it?
God is waiting for us to be responsible to our faith. He desires for us to
be the "salt," to be the "light," to make a difference wherever we are, to
activate the principles that Christ established. When we do this, then the
world will not have to wonder "what will we do with Christ," they will know
it, see it and feel it. They will witness a body of people who are not just
hearers, but truly doers of God's word.
(The Rev. Roscoe F. Perry is pastor of First Mount Carmel Baptist Church in
Winfield, Ga.)