“For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility...” Ephesians 2:14 ESV
God gifts every believer with various passions. One of mine is Church unity. I long for the day we are no longer divided by age, gender, race, denomination and camps of thought (i.e. Calvin vs.
Armenian, Pre-Tribulation vs. Post-Tribulation, etc.). For a people who are to be one just as the Father and Son are One (see John 17:21), we excel at separation.
Perhaps this is why the above passage from Ephesians is one of my favorites. Though Paul was addressing the division of Jews and Gentiles, the heart behind such disunity can be applied to
different situations, including ours today.
Now, this does not negate the valid reasons for some of our separations, but it points to our quick response to rebuild the dividing wall Jesus destroyed. God calls us to set ourselves apart from the world (while still making disciples), not from fellow believers, especially so quickly and over trivial matters. As the saying goes, focus on the essentials, not the incidentals.
The subject of Church unity far exceeds the space and scope of this post, but I bring it up because of a comment a young adult shared with me the other day. One I’ve heard multiple times in my interactions with young people. One that may surprise some of the older generations.
The 18-year-old said, “I love spending time with older people.”
Yes, though it may be difficult for some to believe, especially if you prescribe to what the media says, young people actually want to spend time with their elders. And not just spend time
with them, but have a relationship with them.
We want to learn from them, just as we hope they want to learn from us. Such is the relationship God envisions amongst His people. Such is the relationship many of us long to have.
I know several young believers who want at least one older person to “do life with them.” To offer encouragement and wisdom, to be a listening ear and challenge them to go deeper in their faith. To talk them through what it means and looks like to pursue Godly personal relationships, navigate faith in difficult times and more. To model what it means to be a mentor, so they, too, can mentor someone younger in the faith.
We are to be one, even as the Son and Father are One. Imagine what the Church would look like—what God could do—with a Body that loves one another, no matter our ages.
All of this is especially true for generations who were raised in single-parent households, blended families or by grandparents and/or may be a first generation Christian. For various reasons, they have not seen what it means to be a disciple, so they are eager to find someone who can help them navigate this new life.
If you are an older saint, no matter your age, bridge the gap between you and a younger believer. Be the catalyst God calls each of us to be and ignite a movement amongst your peers to dismantle the dividing wall between the generations. We are to be one, even as the Son and Father are One.
Imagine what the Church would look like—what God could do—with a Body that loves one another, no matter our ages. Sounds pretty awesome, doesn't it?
References:
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). Crossway Bibles.
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