Conflicts & Unity: How They Work
Whenever people find themselves embroiled in controversy or enjoying the blessings of being united, the same fundamental identifiable principles are at work. Why? Because discord and solidarity are the predictable fruits for when values either collide or are in congruence.
Conflicts come in a whole range of intensities. The reason why any conflict ever exists is because people pursue different values. For example, the seller and buyer of a house have very different values. While one person wants the highest possible sell price, the other desires the lowest price.
Have you noticed that whenever the clash of conflict explodes into an ugly scene that typically not only is everybody convinced that "my idea is right and best," but also each person's concern is over my hurt, my pride, etc. Such thoughts are all value based. Unfortunately, sometimes when people begin to focus on an "issue" and "my hurt," the value placed upon these things can begin to grow out of proportion until it threatens to overshadow the entire horizon of their life and relationships. Accordingly the more important the issue becomes, the greater will be the intensity of the conflict!
Conversely, whenever unity thrives anywhere it will be because not only do people share a common ground, but this common ground is more important to them than are the competing issues which would threaten to divide them. Additionally, the more important this shared value is the deeper the bond of unity. Meaningful interactions will always emerge somewhere along the continuum of conflict and unity.
Christian Unity
Paul called the Philippian church to the unity of "standing firm in one spirit" (Philippians 1:27), "united in spirit, intent on one purpose" (Philippians 2:2). Since any group of people will naturally exhibit a wide diversity of opinion regarding what is important and how things should be done, how can harmony and unity be forged out of such incongruent elements? What is supposed to be so powerful and valuable to God's people that it overshadows their personal squabbles and differing opinions of "I know best" in order to cement them together in the bond of unshakable unity?
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul answered this. He started by pointing God's people toward the goal of "striving together for the faith of the gospel." Not only does a true message exist, but ensuring that this message is maintained and that it continues to shape the lives of people should be paramount to the church. This goal of striving for the faith of gospel should be more important to God's people than whether I get my way on which color scheme is chosen, whether we meet at 9:00 or 9:30 a.m., whether we meet in homes or at the building on Sunday night, whether we sit on pews or chairs, etc. Here then is a value which can bring Eudia and Syntyche together in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2) While I might even have a strong preference in these matters, the furtherance of the faith is supposed to be so much more important to me than other considerations that it will bind me together with others who are also seeking the faith of the gospel.
Secondly, Paul tied this unity he was describing to the mind of Christ. Unlike that attitude which thinks foremost about my desires and what I have gone through, the mind of Christ is characterized by the other-personness of love. True love revolves around seeking to supply the needs and well-being of others. To have the mind of Christ will undermine the self-centered ambitions which often characterize squabbles. (James 4:1)
One apostolic way to describe the recipe for Christian unity is to pour the mind of Christ over the goal of working together for the maintenance and furtherance of the faith of the gospel. This is Christian living! Let's be biblically united.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 2001
Other articles which might be of interest:
Goals That Should Supersede Personal Preferences
Unity - What Causes Division? (Part 1) The Divisive Role of Agendas in Interpretation
Unity - Paul's Prescription (Part 2) Observations on 1 Corinthians