Seek Unity
11 In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.
Colossians 3:11 (CSB)
Our world is often divided by social status, gender, nationality, and party lines. Paul reminds the Colossians that in Christ, believers are united as one family. We are connected as the body, with Christ as our true Head. The Bible urges us to focus on our identity in Christ, instead of being divided by worldly differences. In a divided world, Paul’s message to the Colossians serves as a strong reminder that we should foster a unified community of faith that demonstrates and shares God's love.
Christ Overcomes All Divisions. Paul ends this list of opposing groups by reminding believers that “Christ is all and in all.” Christ serves as the foundation of true unity, surpassing cultural, social, and political barriers. He invites everyone to join God’s family. The family of God is inclusive in that all are welcome, but it is exclusive because entry requires faith in Christ alone.
Paul used first-century divisions to highlight God's unifying power. He explains that barriers between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, slave and free are dissolved in Jesus. In Christ, we are empowered to love genuinely, live peacefully, and stay united.
This passage serves as a reminder to believers today that we possess the solution to the world's divisive issues, social classes, and dynamics. Christ is the answer. The gospel message provides the remedy for both sin and division. True unity and peace are not achieved through peace treaties, political meetings, or enforced submission. Instead, genuine peace and unity come when people are connected to the Prince of Peace. We might feel tempted to complain about or oppose those we disagree with, but the reality is that our ability to be unified doesn't depend on our or others' changes, but on the transformation that results from a life surrendered to Jesus.
QUESTIONS
What are some of the dividers in the world that keep us separated instead of bringing us to unity?
How would you define and describe unity as only available in Christ?
