THE UNITY OF BABEL

The story of the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11) tells us how the power of unity – whether focused on good or bad -- will produce forceful results. One language (having common understanding and goals) produces dynamite potential. The principle of the Tower of Babel illustrates the capitalization on STRUCTURAL UNITY – the focus of human organization around a central tower (a physical goal).

However, the New Testament NEVER talks about using specific organizational or outward structure as a means of attaining that unity. The Greek word for church, “ekklesia,” indicates a local congregation or a meeting of people gathered in the presence of the living Lord and NEVER a building. Buildings are fine. But, the focus on STRUCTURAL or outward configurations stifle the potential for true unity. This is a crucial failure in today's fast moving society-oriented churches that have set up so many peripheral goals, rules and regulations, and committees for everything – and have forgotten about God. The church is all about the aggregate of regenerated people who are saved by their relationship to/with Christ. It’s not about structures.   Let’s say it again -- true unity stems solely from focusing upon the realization that we are forgiven by the astonishing and unearned grace of Jesus Christ.

But, for the most part, that focus has not been our main one. We can look at the consequences of EXTERNAL focus and find that our mis-communication (divided tongues  = lack of shared vision) have created unseen boundaries, alienated our theologies, and established distracting traditions.  The disciples asked,  “…what is the sign of the end of the age???” Well, you can look at the answer and know that here we are -- and we live in it – right now. 

Jesus answered, Matt 24:10, “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another” NKJV.  Right now, this offenses and betrayals have exhausted many of us in our reasoning.  While we have sought for unity, we have found ourselves discouraged because of so many unfaithful friendships.  Even the slightest offense has the potential to cause distance in ourselves from others. The word “apostasy” means that we fall away – this can be totally or it can be just a little. Many of us have already allowed offenses to limit our perceptions. We’ve failed to decide to not commit apostasy in our heart. 

As a church, we’ve been immobilized in this area. Until now. We can see why when studying Galatians. Just as the law was given to keep us under guard (as a tutor to bring us to Christ), we were confined. But the only reason we were limited was because we were immature sons. Now FAITH comes in this area to reveal that we are no longer need to be under a tutor – we are becoming full grown sons (Gal 3:22-25). The revelation of ever-present unity comes to those who are mature (Eph. 4:13). Notice that the brethren dwelling together in unity that was “good and pleasant” (Ps. 133) were LIKE the oil flowing down Aaron’s BEARDED face (bearded – a full grown son). It is here that the LORD commands the blessing-- Life forevermore (vs. 3). 
 
 

WHAT CAUSED DISUNITY? – (Mk. 3:25):

We need to back track a bit and see what has caused dis-unity in the past. 

1). Churches divided because of selfish ambition.  3 John 9 tells us about a man named Diotrephes who wanted to control the church --  “He loved to be first." Therefore, we are reminded to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5) and "in humility consider others better than ourselves (Phil. 2:3). James explained that factions and strife are superficial wisdom, and that wherever envy and strife are evident, every evil work appears. 

2). 1 Corinthians 1:12 tells us how the early church divided over human alliances (their favorite teachers and their doctrines (Paul, Apollos, or Peter, etc.). We all have our favorite preachers and points of view – but all of us, I’m sure, will have our theologies corrected as we stand before the Lord.  Therefore, we need to live in open heartedness and to see no man except for Christ (1 Cor. 2:2).Our only alliance must be to Jesus Christ. 

3). The church divided over differences of race and custom, etc.  For them, there WAS male and female, Jew and Greek, and they WERE acting like they were simply “mere men” (1 Cor. 3:3-4).  Paul had to tell them how to BEHAVE like Christians because they had not yet learned how to do that. That’s why Paul kept insisting that the great mystery was no divisions in race, status, or gender in the Lord.  We need to realize that we’re not defined by our culture or nationality… we’re not our job titles.  Our true identity goes far deeper than any of these.  We must continually activate our mind and remain conscious of the truth that we are a new creation.

We see the fullness of this truth illustrated in the Antioch prayer group of Acts 13, where a core group of leaders developed into a multi-ethnic taskforce. Of the five mentioned, Simeon and Lucius were black (40%). One was an aristocrat from the Herodian dynasty and one was a Pharisaic Jew. This veritable cross-section of the ancient world was the think tank that apostolically “sent” missionaries to Europe. This group gave Paul his marching orders – and Paul complied. 

We must get this truth beyond mental assent and into our being: We must not CAPITALIZE upon our natural heritage. Dissimilar heredity and differences in ceremonial forms do not in the least interfere with unity or authority.  There can be no doubt that Christ died for the world -- regardless of their tribal backgrounds or their denominational labels. His blood still unifies us as one nation… one peculiar people (1 Pet. 2:9). 

The church must indeed be diverse, but the total realization of unity is not derived from just from merging diversity. 

4). Believers divided because of confusion. In the New Testament the word "devil" comes from a Greek word meaning "to throw apart;" it means to separate and divide.  Believers must not allow any divisive power to be operative within their lives. Proverbs says God hates those who sow division or discord among the brethren (6:19). Paul orders that we “mark those that sow discord” (Prov. 6:19). In hearing about schisms (bickering and disunity) among the Corinthians, Paul impatiently asked: "Is Christ divided? (I Cor. 1:13). 

5). Churches divided when false teachers turned others from the truth (1 Cor. 15:12).  And even today, we must practice discernment and not give place to false teachers, but at the same time, our fears of wrong teachings can’t become an excuse for witch hunts and suspicion. 

6). Churches divided because of differences of opinion. And although divisions in the early church did arise once in awhile, they were speedily addressed. When believers became bothered about "rules" of behavior (such as the celebration of holidays or whether or not they should eat meat), Paul tells them about the mystery of relationships. (Romans 14 – 1 Cor. 12:20, Col. 2:16-23). 

And of this one thing we can be certain –WE WILL ALWAYS experience differences of opinion (Rom. 14:1-4, 22). We cannot take our personal preferences (non essential concepts) and turn them into to mandatory truths that others must agree.   Hopefully, our unity doesn’t depend upon our unanimous interpretation of the second coming of Jesus, our particularly insightful viewpoint of the millennium, or what color we should paint the church kitchen. 

We will differ. Paul boldly confronted Peter (Gal. 2:20) -- but neither of them broke away to form another church. They understood commitment to the greater good. And, even though Barnabus and Paul sharply disagreed (Acts 15:38, 39), their going different directions brought about good in the kingdom.  There will be times when we must disagree – but we must not be disagreeable. 

Furthermore, differences of opinion can be a healthy and necessary thing: "For there MUST ALSO BE FACTIONS among you, in order that those who are approved may have become evident among you," (1 Cor. 11:19). 

WOW!  Leaders “become evident” by how they handle differences. 

The fundamental truth of finding unity comes from being Christocentric. As we do that, we find that our behavior towards others changes.  This is a subtle distinction from what we’ve been doing – I’m not trying to find unity with you by getting along with you. That’s already proven to be impossible!! As we individually draw near to Him, He draws us together to Himself. Unity comes from loving God  -- then, the outpouring of that relationship causes me to treat you properly -- as He would. This means that we no longer need to quarrel about our various opinions. We don’t expect anyone/everyone to agree on every subject.  We release others to disagree regarding debatable issues. We listen to -- and respect differences of opinion.  And further, we must have liberty regarding the non-essential beliefs.  Differences can be a source of wisdom and richness in relationships.

Whenever I am not in agreement with someone else, I must rid myself of obnoxious arguments like: "Well, you have your interpretation, and I have mine."  This subtly says, "I’m better than you are” or, “I’m not willing to be with you unless you agree with me."  NO. Now, we accept others – no matter what they think or look like! Like Jesus accepts us – even now. Today. Listen, we’re not accepted in the Beloved just because we’re always right and perfectly loveable. Actually, we’re still often ill-mannered, and misdirected. How can we have the audacity and the impudence to reject others because of those same qualities? 
Unless we allow others to investigate and challenge our ideas, we’ll always act defensively.  A non-        aggressive attitude is essential to revealing the unity of the body. The Apostles persistently proclaimed this essential behavior necessary for Christ's Church (I John 4:1-7; 14-15, 20-29; II Peter 2:1-19; Jude 5:19).   No longer should we be irritated and speak derogatorily  when we hear someone else teach something that conflicts with our doctrine -- even if we think it is totally unbalanced, unbiblical, or just flat dumb! We don’t need to stone them; we can just teach a better way… (a way more perfectly Acts 16:26)! That’s possible when we finally realize that God is bigger than any inaccuracy and He knows how to take care of us all. God always takes us from where we are to get us to where we’re going.