As important as unity is, it is not our most important value. Jesus Christ taught that truth transcends unity as a priority. It is critical to recall that in Christ’s high priestly prayer, before He prayed that we would be one, He prayed that we would be set apart in the truth (Jn. 17:17). From God’s point of view, truth is not only more important than unity but it is in fact the basis for unity. The Bible does not know a unity that is just for unity’s sake. Authentic Christian unity is a unity forged in a common cause, a common conviction, a common interest. Biblical unity is forged in our mutual bondedness to the truth in Christ, “the way and the truth and the life” (Jn. 14:6). When we embrace the truth, we are free to embrace one another in the truth.
— Joseph Stowell (b. 1944), Pastor, Theologe, Buchautor und Hochschulpräsident
Related Bible passage: JHN.17.17
Topics: Freedom & Truth, Church & Congregation
Occasions: For Reflection
Joseph Stowell
Joseph M. Stowell (* 1944) ist ein US-amerikanischer evangelikaler Pastor, Autor und Theologe, der über Jahrzehnte als Präsident des Moody Bible Institute sowie der Cornerstone University wirkte. Bekannt wurde er durch zahlreiche Publikationen und Andachtsformate wie »Our Daily Bread«, in denen er Themen wie christuszentrierte Nachfolge, dienende Leiterschaft und persönliche Integrität betont. Bibellesern vermittelt er eine anwendungsorientierte und seelsorglich zugängliche Auslegung biblischer Texte für den Alltag.
All quotes by Joseph Stowell (5)
The Father’s love does not force itself on the beloved.
Henri Nouwen
Martin Luther King Jr.
In essential unity; in nonessentials liberty; in all this charity.
Rupertus Meldenius
Tim Keller
William Temple
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was yourself.
Diane H. Moody
Don't allow anybody to make you feel that you're nobody.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.
Søren Kierkegaard