Unfortunately, the news has been littered lately with stories showing how divisive society is becoming. Whether it’s COVID and vaccine policies, politics, or Cancel Culture; society-at-large has no shortage of topics to disagree on. It’s easy to understand why though…people are passionate about their beliefs and want to feel like their voices are being heard. One of things I appreciate most about Heritage Christian School is the fact our Administrative Office and Board of Directors are willing and want to hear your voice.
This year our HCS theme is anchored in the word “Unity” and our 2021-2022 memory verse is Ephesians 4: 1-16. We are a unified body of Christian families who are dedicated in educating our children through the lens of a Christian perspective. Our HCS core values form the school’s bedrock and rally us behind the principles of being centered on Christ, driven by parents, united in purpose, and motivated by love. While each of these core values are important, let’s focus on the phrase “united in purpose.”
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
In this letter to the Church of Ephesus, Paul talks to us about the importance and benefits of a unified body of Christians, and he highlights some key attributes of unity. We are to be humble and think of others’ needs ahead of our own. We are also to be patient and exhibit self-control despite circumstances that might cause us to be agitated. We are to bear in love with one another meaning that we tolerate others in spite of their faults. Simply put…when we are humble, patient, and bear in love with one another; we achieve the unity that God has given us through His Holy Spirit.
Ephesians is not the only place in the Bible that Christians are taught about unity. For example, in John 17, when Jesus prayed that His followers "may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." In this instance, it is noteworthy that Jesus prayed for the disciples to be one, rather than for other things such as good health and being correct in their Bible teaching. Here, Jesus prioritizes our oneness, and His praying for our unity only further exemplifies how vitally important “unity” is to our families and our roles as Christians.
So, with everything going on in society today, can we prioritize our unity? I know it is a rhetorical question. However, I truly believe that together, we can show each other the humbleness, patience, and willingness to bear in love with each other in order to protect the Kingdom of God from being divided by the secular world we live in. Together, we can combine our talents, perspectives, and gifts to lead with one voice and have a positive influence on our children and the next generation.