The unity of the disciples...
Illustration
The unity of the disciples will be shown by their keeping God's commandments, especially the new commandment, the test of love. Obedience and love are the conditions that rule the new life of the church. After nearly 20 centuries, we have perhaps had too many opportunities to discover how difficult that is. But the truth exists nonetheless. A gathering of clergy from different traditions began discussing a topic of some significant sensitivity in the churches, about which there is widely divergent opinion even within traditions, let alone between traditions. Some at this gathering were quite radical in their views; some were quite conservative; a few were somewhere between. All were convinced of where they stood. This could have been the makings of a theological free-for-all. Yet everyone expressed his stance and why he stood there, and everyone else listened and took all views seriously. No one had to win and no one had to lose. No one had to be right at the expense of anyone else. They were able to disagree with love, each confident that the others were being faithful as they were guided by the Holy Spirit. Strong opinions on both sides had been expressed but with an attitude of acceptance and love and humility. At the end of the discussion, everyone looked around and said, "Look what just happened here." (This happened; I was there. Rather than tell you what the sensitive issue was, pick one. I believe the basic truth of what happened would still be at work.) -- Johnson-Hoy
