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[Announcer] (0:01 - 0:19) Think about the Bible like you never have before. You're listening to Christian Questions. Access more audio, videos, and Bible study resources at ChristianQuestions.com.

Our topic is: "Are Both Unity and Diversity Possible in Today's Christianity?" Here's Rick, Jonathan, and Julie.

[Rick] (0:22 - 0:32) Welcome everyone. I'm Rick. I'm joined by Jonathan, my co-host for over twenty-five years. Julie, a longtime contributor, is also with us.

Jonathan, what's our theme Scripture for this episode?

[Jonathan] (0:33 - 0:48) Ephesians 4:4-6: "There is one body and one spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all."

[Rick] (0:49 - 1:53) John 3:16 tells us: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." You'd think that having such a loving God and such a selfless and loving Redeemer as Jesus, we as Christians would all be unified and be working together to spread the good news and build one another up in faith. Yet, here we stand in countless camps of denominationally divided believers.

Why? The answer comes down to the fundamental question of how we decide what is and is not required of us as Christians. That's the fundamental question.

Let's give you a simple observation. We believe that Christianity, Christian unity and diversity, must be labeled by Scripture and Scripture only. If we put aside traditions and denominations, what will we find to guide us to build biblical unity and diversity in Christ?

[Jonathan] (1:53 - 2:25) To begin addressing this, we will walk through a good portion of the third chapter of Colossians. As we go, we'll frequently pause and ask these questions:

1. What has the Apostle Paul just defined Christianity as, including or excluding? 2. Based on these biblical descriptions, what does Christian unity accept or oppose?

3. Based on these biblical descriptions, what does Christian diversity accept or oppose?

[Rick] (2:25 - 2:51) We're going to take Colossians apart. We're going to read a few verses, a verse or two or three, and then we'll say, "Wait, wait, wait, what did Paul just say?" Then we're going to add some extra Scriptures to put in and say, "As we look at this now, how does that apply to Christian unity?

How does that apply to Christian diversity?" We want to go slowly and let the Apostle do the teaching. We're going to start in Colossians 3.

Julie, let's start with Colossians 3:2-4:

[Julie] (2:52 - 3:06) "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory."

[Jonathan] (3:06 - 3:13) What has the Apostle Paul just defined Christianity as, including or excluding?

[Rick] (3:14 - 3:56) Now when we ask these questions, it's about what is Paul telling us should be here, and what is Paul telling us shouldn't be here? As we go through these things, some things absolutely need to be invited in, and other things absolutely need to be chased away. This is an inclusionary statement of the Apostle in verses two and three.

To use the Apostle Paul's words, he says, "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." And Christ is our life. He's telling us some simple, fundamental Christian truths.

These are inclusionary in our approach to unity and diversity.

[Julie] (3:56 - 4:23) Some Bible commentary by William Barclay on these verses: "From now on the Christian will view everything against the background of eternity and no longer live as if this world was all that mattered... Sometimes we say of a man, 'Music is his life—sport is his life—he lives for his work.'

Such a man finds life and all that it means in music, in sport, in work, as the case may be. For the Christian, Christ is his life."

[Rick] (4:24 - 4:38) That's what the Apostle said in Colossians 3:2-4. Now, let's put this together. A Christian's life must be about serving God through Jesus, and nothing less than that.

Let's go to a supportive Scripture. Let's go to Romans 12:1-2:

[Jonathan] (4:39 - 4:41) "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

[Rick] (5:05 - 5:31) In Colossians, it's set your mind on things above, not on things that are on the earth.

In Romans, it's present your body as a living sacrifice, not being conformed to this world, but being transformed from this world. We've got a supporting Scripture for this very straightforward statement of the Apostle Paul, "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth," and make sure Christ is your life. Let's go on to Colossians 3:5-6:

[Julie] (5:31 - 5:47) "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience."

[Jonathan] (5:47 - 5:55) Our question: What has the Apostle Paul just defined Christianity as, including or excluding?

[Rick] (5:55 - 6:22) First, we started with an inclusionary statement, now this is exclusionary. Here's what he says to keep out of your Christianity. This actually, when you read it, is pretty sensible.

Listen to this; "immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry." He's saying, these things don't belong in your Christian fellowship and in your Christian lives!

[Julie] (6:23 - 6:54) People might think, "Well, my specific sin isn't listed here, so maybe I'm off the hook." But if you look at these Greek words that Paul uses, these are very broad categories covering almost everything. For an example, that word for "immorality," that's the Greek word "porneia" where we get the English word "pornography" from, and the word itself in Greek is huge.

It covers all sexual activity outside of God's design for marriage, which began with Adam and Eve. There're really no loopholes here to find.

[Rick] (6:54 - 7:35) That's the important thing. These are exclusionary. Folks, as we go through this, the statements are either going to be inclusionary or exclusionary.

There are no statements that are in between. It's either belonging or not, so we need to focus in.

Christian unity and Christian diversity need to understand what the foundation is. Is it included or is it excluded? Back to the Colossians 3:5-6, when all of these words of morality, impurity, and so forth...a Christian's life must, with great intention and discipline, walk away from our former selves.

We have to do that. Jonathan, let's go to Galatians 5:19-21:

[Jonathan] (7:36 - 8:06) I don't like reading these verses, but here goes: "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

[Julie] (8:07 - 8:31) That's a lot to read. This is where Christian unity often gets misunderstood. In today's world, unity is sometimes taken to mean you accept everyone exactly as they are with no expectations, no boundaries, and no call to change.

But Christian unity doesn't mean you embrace these behaviors, these awful lists that Scripture identifies as being sinful.

[Jonathan] (8:31 - 9:01) Rick and Julie, we've often said on this podcast that Christianity is "come as you are," but it's NOT "stay as you are." Unity isn't overlooking or condoning sin. It's not lowering the standard to include everyone.

It's helping them rise up to the standard of Christ. We don't have a right to redefine the line that Scripture draws. Rick, what are some practical examples of things we need to leave behind from our former way of life as we come to Christ?

[Rick] (9:02 - 10:16) You look at all of these things and you say, look, there's a lot of practicality in here. But let's talk about one thing that's very, very, very common in our world, and that is cohabitation outside of marriage. People do that regularly all the time.

Technically, if you are looking at Christian principles and a Christian foundation, that has no place in it. The Bible is very specific. That's one very concrete, clear example of what it means to be Christlike or not.

Remember, there is no middle ground here. They're either included or excluded. In these verses, you have enmity, strife, and jealousy.

You've got this anger and this biting at one another. That is not part of Christian behavior. Those are things that we don't want to be a part of.

Drunkenness and carousing-- is that Christlike? The answer is no!

Those are very practical, simple ways that we can look at this and say, okay, what is my environment? Is it Christlike or is it not? We've got this beginning from the Apostle in Colossians with these things: immorality, impurity, passion, and so forth.

He goes even further in Colossians 3. Let's go to verses, Julie, let's go to Colossians 3:7-9:

[Julie] (10:17 - 10:34) "...and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices."

[Jonathan] (10:34 - 10:42) Again, what has the Apostle Paul just defined Christianity as? Including or excluding?

[Rick] (10:42 - 11:22) These are obviously exclusionary statements. He's excluding anger. He's excluding wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.

He's excluding lying to one another because we've laid aside our old selves with its evil practices. He's saying these things don't belong. The beauty of this, Jonathan and Julie, the beauty of this is this is the Apostle Paul telling us.

We're not saying, well, let's add these things. This is the Apostle Paul's words. He's the Apostle, the twelfth Apostle.

His words are inspired by God. They're part of God's holy word. We have to listen carefully and clearly and obediently to these words.

[Julie] (11:23 - 11:32) This is all about personal transformation and specifically what destructive behaviors we have to remove in order to have that personal transformation.

[Rick] (11:32 - 11:41) Right. Destructive behaviors that need to be removed. Not that need to be reduced or need to be, well...

[Julie] (11:41 - 11:42) Covered up.

[Rick] (11:42 - 12:26) Yeah. Or, you know, Monday through Saturday...

that's so bad. No, no, no, no. Here's the thing;

with the Apostle's description of our Christianity and what drives our unity and our diversity, things are in or they're out. There is no, well, you can have "a little bit" of that. You're not supposed to. Now,

none of us is perfect. Okay, maybe I'll never get over jealousy or whatever it is, but I need to be working on it and putting it in clear order. A Christian's life must continually work at releasing destructive emotions, actions, and intentions.

We have to work at it. Jonathan, let's read another verse that you'll just love to read. 2 Timothy 3:1-4.

I know this is one of your favorites.

[Jonathan] (12:27 - 12:56) Here we go again. More cringeworthy text: "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God..."

[Rick] (12:57 - 13:34) Well, and you think about it. Why is the Apostle saying this to Christians? We would look at that and say, well, it should be obvious.

Well, obviously it's not! Obviously, we have to look around and say, have we in our general Christianity allowed any of these things to come in and settle in with us? He's writing this because he says in the last days (here we are) difficult times will come (here we have them) and these are the issues.

So we need to be careful to put this all in order. This is just building on what he said in Colossians.

[Jonathan] (13:35 - 13:41) Based on these biblical descriptions, what does Christian unity accept or oppose?

[Rick] (13:42 - 14:28) We looked at Colossians 3:2-9, and based on the biblical descriptions and the supporting Scriptures, what does Christian unity accept or oppose? Let's look at the opposition here. Christian unity opposes dissensions brought out by unscriptural and self-driven or power-driven teachings.

It opposes those things. Unity won't happen in Christ if we are driven by self-driven or power-driven teachings, if we're driven by things that are not according to Scripture. We have to use the Scriptures as our basis and really nothing else, because if everything else starts to take the Scripture and say, and we can expand it this way, we had better be really, really careful.

Romans 16:17-18:

[Jonathan] (14:29 - 14:51) "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting."

[Julie] (14:52 - 15:16) Paul warns us here about two dangers to unity. You've got those who divide and those who deceive. "Dissensions" are the teachings that fracture the body.

"Hindrances" are the stumbling blocks that might look spiritual, but they pull people off course. Unity requires us to guard the body by recognizing what doesn't align with sound teaching and turning away from it.

[Jonathan] (15:17 - 15:25) Rick, based on these biblical descriptions, what does Christian diversity accept or oppose?

[Rick] (15:25 - 16:03) Now we're looking at the diversity aspect of things. Again, we're going to look at the opposition here because in these verses, except for the first line, it's all, don't do this, don't do this, don't do that, don't do that, throw that away, run away from that. That's what the Apostle is saying.

Christian diversity opposes ungodly morality that draws us away from reverent obedience to Christ. We can justify our human morality, but if it's not in accordance with Scripture, it is ungodly morality, and it draws us away from reverence and obedience to Christ. Supporting Scripture, Ephesians 5:3-5:

[Jonathan] (16:03 - 16:31) "But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."

[Rick] (16:31 - 16:49) You see the power of these statements and the supporting Scriptures that tell us and remind us again and again, there are things that just don't belong. If they don't belong, let's not try to find a way to let them squeak in just a little bit. It's either yes or no.

That's what we want to be focusing on here.

[Julie] (16:49 - 17:09) Remember, after listing immorality and impurity and evil desire and greed, Paul, back in Colossians 3:7, said, "and in them you also once walked when you were living in them." That's the before. Jonathan, you've been very open with our audience.

You've lived this. Your story shows exactly what this looks like in real life.

[Jonathan] (17:10 - 18:13) Yes, this part of the conversation is personal for me. I grew up in a Christian home, but as a young man, I fell hard. I made many bad lifestyle choices.

I was a mess. I was broken, and I actually hit bottom. Then God directed me to a Bible study group that opened my eyes to a proper way of living.

If the people there had looked at me and said, "Your kind isn't wanted," I don't know where I'd be today. But they didn't. They welcomed me.

They taught me. They showed me what living for Christ actually looked like. At one point, because I was relocating for a new job, I was invited to live with Rick's parents for a while.

They accepted me for who I was. I was given room to learn, grow, and transform. I changed my life completely.

So, when we talk about unity, this is what we mean; not accepting sin, but accepting broken people. People just like I was who are trying to find Christ.

[Rick] (18:14 - 18:20) The beauty of that story is you are not a finished product. First of all, you're not a finished product yet, neither am I.

[Jonathan] (18:21 - 18:27) You're right, brother!

[Rick] (18:28 - 19:02) Neither is Julie. But you were are a diamond in the rough and that was something that those around you saw the potential and just showed you. It's not a matter of saying, "Oh, you're terrible!" It's a matter of saying, 'Oh, you've got potential, but we've got to trim these things away."

Then they show you how to live it. It's not beating someone down with, "This is what the Bible says, or else..." It is showing them the example. And that's...Jonathan, I watched that happen.

I watched that growth and that development. The beauty of that is living the example of what Christlikeness is.

[Julie] (19:02 - 19:48) We've also experienced the opposite of Jonathan's story. There was a person who came to the congregation I belong to as a, we'll put air quotes, "former witch." She seemed sincere and was searching, and many people, including you, Rick, spent much time and effort with her.

In the end, she just couldn't accept that following Christ meant she had to completely leave the principles of witchcraft behind. Eventually we had to ask her not to attend our services. Unity can't embrace behaviors that openly oppose Christ.

Jonathan chose the path of transformation and this other person refused it. Both illustrate the sides of what Paul means when he says, "You once walked in these things, but now put them aside."

[Rick] (19:49 - 20:24) The key thing about the path of transformation is a lot of times we want to transform and bring something along with us. Usually with Christian transformation, it's leaving those things behind and pressing onto those things which are before--I pressed toward the mark of the prize. Our transformation can't be, "Yeah, but I just...just a little bit of this."

No, that's not what the transformation is. We need to be clear. In Colossians 3, in these first few verses, the Apostle Paul showed us a lot of things that simply don't belong.

Let's look at The Foundations of Christian Unity & Diversity:

[Jonathan] (20:24 - 20:45) As we proceed through this chapter of Colossians, we will find that there are no further exclusions in Paul's definition of Christianity. He lays them out upfront so we can clearly know what to avoid as we build our Christian unity and diversity upon the true foundation of godliness and Christlikeness.

[Julie] (20:45 - 20:53) If I was going to restate that, I would just say you can't build unity on top of a pile of unremoved sin and destructive habits.

[Rick] (20:54 - 21:13) That's why the Apostle Paul, when he's going to show us what unity and diversity look like, starts with that. Clear the area so the foundation can be built solidly. The details of what we are to avoid are dramatic.

These graphic descriptions are there to get our attention and therefore set us on the right path.

[Jonathan] (21:14 - 21:23) The Apostle Paul is getting our attention so we can truly absorb big lessons. Now that we know what to avoid, what are we to follow after and embrace?

[Rick] (21:24 - 22:00) By emphatically beginning with identifying things that we need to put out of our lives, Paul is encouraging us to remove them and to make room in our hearts and minds for genuine Christlikeness. You can't have both. You got to remove them, make room.

All calls to diversity and unity must begin with this very approach. We simply cannot be unified in Christ unless we are actually in Christ first. Got to think about that.

That's what the Scriptures are showing us. Let's go back to Colossians. Julie, Colossians 3:10-11:

[Julie] (22:00 - 22:20) " ...and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all."

[Jonathan] (22:20 - 22:25) What has the Apostle Paul justifying Christianity as, including or excluding?

[Rick] (22:25 - 22:53) Now here he's getting into the inclusion part. There's a lot said here, so we're going to break it into two pieces. The first piece is what the Apostle Paul said.

First piece is really simple. "The new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him." That's exactly what he said.

Those were his words. I don't need to add to it. It's a simple statement.

He's saying, look at this new person who is renewed according to knowledge in the image of Christ.

[Julie] (22:54 - 23:00) This is a new self that God is remaking, as you would say, Rick, from the inside out.

[Rick] (23:00 - 23:31) Yes, it's a simple thing. It really does have to come that way. It's not doing the things that need to be done;

it's being the person that I need to be so I can do the things that need to be done. A Christian's life must continually submit to being continually renewed in Christ. Make no mistake, this is a battle.

This just doesn't happen because we come to Christ. We have to plow through this process. 2 Corinthians...a supporting Scripture, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:

[Jonathan] (23:31 - 23:57) "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;

for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal."

[Julie] (23:57 - 24:32) This is really practical advice he gives us because Paul says our inner person "is being renewed day by day," meaning real lasting change takes time. We can't expect it to happen just because we're Christian. We have to learn to shift our focus from the temporary to the eternal.

This shift is going to show up in the little choices that we make, how we respond to pressure, how we respond to discouragement, and what we allow to capture our attention. It's your second favorite word after "context," Rick; "perspective."

You have a new perspective.

[Rick] (24:32 - 24:57) Yes, it's about Rick's favorite words. We have to be able to see things for what they are and where we're going, and be able to walk away from what we were. Fighting this battle requires that renewal, but it also requires a true knowledge.

This is what he said in Colossians 3:10-11-- a "true knowledge" of how and why to fight this battle. Let's look at that.

Supporting Scripture, 2 Timothy 2:15-16:

[Jonathan] (24:58 - 25:10) "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness."

[Rick] (25:10 - 25:50) "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God." That means we have to DO the work. We can't be handed the work.

We need to do the work, because that's what the renewal of our lives is about. It's about doing the work. That's the first part of Colossians 3:10-11.

Let's go to the next pieces of Colossians 3:10-11, the next inclusionary part. Here's what the Apostle says:

"There is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free man, but Christ is all, and in all." There're a lot of different kinds of people mentioned here. Julie, let's expand on that.

[Julie] (25:51 - 26:22) Bible commentary by Barclay, I'll just paraphrase. Here Paul's listing the major divisions of the ancient world--ethnic, religious, cultural, social. This ancient world was full of barriers.

Greeks looked down on anyone who didn't speak Greek. They called them 'barbarians.' Jews saw themselves as God's chosen people.

Scythians, they were the worst of the barbarians. They were considered the most savage and uncivilized people imaginable. Slaves weren't even viewed as human beings under the law.

They were just living tools with no rights of their own.

[Jonathan] (26:23 - 26:32) Paul's point is Christ breaks down every barrier, even the ones you think that are impossible, like me--but also even the Scythians.

[Rick] (26:34 - 27:04) There's an incredible beauty in that. He's not leaving anybody out. He's saying all of these things, the barriers need to come down.

There's no distinction, which means that one is exactly as valuable as the other. There is no distinction. A Christian's life must be lived by recognizing that each of us is but one little ingredient in this body of Christ.

Supporting Scripture, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14:

[Jonathan] (27:05 - 27:26) "For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one spirit. For the body is not one member, but many."

[Rick] (27:26 - 27:55) What an encouraging Scripture! When you come in and you see maybe others who are really much further along than you, and you're like, "I could never be like that"-- what you can be like is the person that God called you to be, one small step at a time, developing from the inside out as we leave those things in our lives behind us. It's a beautiful example of being part of something bigger than ourselves, driven by Christlikeness.

[Jonathan] (27:55 - 28:01) Based on these biblical descriptions, what does Christian unity accept or oppose?

[Rick] (28:02 - 28:26) We're looking at these biblical descriptions in Colossians 3:10-11, and based on that, what does Christian unity accept or oppose? This isn't accepting, this is accepting. Christian unity embraces the varied contributions needed for our Christian mission to be fulfilled.

There is contribution needed from all kinds, in all kinds of different perspectives. Let's look at Ephesians 4:11-13:

[Jonathan] (28:26 - 28:50) "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."

[Rick] (28:50 - 29:19) "Until we all attain to the unity of faith." You notice nobody gets left out. Nobody is less unified than another. We're all attaining to that as "a mature man."

It's one body of Christ. It's not you and me and somebody else and somebody else and somebody else. It's all one body, together.

The maturity is us working together, drawing each other up. That's the unity that the Apostle Paul is describing. It's beautiful because it's built on Christlikeness.

[Jonathan] (29:19 - 29:25) Based on these biblical descriptions, what does Christian diversity accept or oppose?

[Rick] (29:25 - 29:54) We looked at Christian unity in relation to Colossians 3:10-11. What about Christian diversity? Christian diversity here strongly embraces the call of Christ going out to every culture and every level of society.

Julie, you already touched on that in a very big way. Just to give us a description of all of these different kinds of people in society, let's go to one more supporting Scripture to just make that point even more fully—Galatians 3:27-29:

[Jonathan] (29:54 - 30:11) "For all of you were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise."

[Rick] (30:12 - 30:26) Doesn't matter where you came from, doesn't matter your heritage or your lineage or your social status. If you belong to Christ, then you're an heir according to the promise. Everybody gets to be there together because it's in Christ, not in worldly thinking.

[Julie] (30:26 - 31:00) The Barclay commentary brought up a fascinating point on this. As a former Pharisee, Paul would have grown up saying a specific morning prayer where a man thanked God he was not a Gentile, thanked God he was not a slave, and not a woman. Paul takes these specific categories and removes their power to mark someone’s identity because in Christ, these kinds of distinctions no longer determine value, identity or a standing before God.

Social boundaries don't define you anymore. As we read before, Christ is our life.

[Rick] (31:01 - 31:24) The Apostle Paul, the wonderful Apostle Paul, mature in Christ Apostle Paul, is talking to himself as he's talking to us, reminding us of what he used to be, and what he has grown into. What an encouragement for us.

He had a long way to go, and so do we! Again, let's put this together. The Foundations of Christian Unity & Diversity:

[Jonathan] (31:24 - 31:47) With all that we consider dead in our lives behind us, we can focus on renewal. We cannot move on until our old flesh has been consciously put aside. Effective Christian unity and diversity depend on our building a foundation of Christlikeness that invites and accepts all others who are being renewed by the same biblical principles.

[Rick] (31:48 - 32:13) By the same biblical principles-- we know what things are to be put aside. There's a lot of them.

They're in that first segment. Then we know the things that the Apostle says, once you've taken those things out of the way, you're not focusing on them.

Here's how you begin to grow. When we compare what we've given up to all that we are receiving in Christ, this really becomes...actually, it becomes a really easy decision to make!

[Jonathan] (32:14 - 32:20) We have accepted the comparison between life in the world and life in Christ. So, what do we grow into next?

[Rick] (32:21 - 33:09) For us to find and actually rejoice in the unity and diversity that life in Christ provides, we need to next focus on making this renewal a way of life for ourselves as well as for those we walk alongside of. It's not just about me. Now comes the deep dive into the character development that provokes true Christian unity and embraces true Christian diversity.

Now, as we go back to Colossians, we're going in deeper to just see what it takes from the inside out, like you said before, Julie, for us to grow into so we can truly experience what Christian unity looks like and accomplishes and what Christian diversity looks like and accomplishes. Julie, let's go back to Colossians 3:12-13:

[Julie] (33:09 - 33:28) "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you."

[Jonathan] (33:28 - 33:57) I like how Paul says "put on" these Christlike qualities. It's like putting on new clothes. Changing our character doesn't happen automatically.

We have to make a conscious choice to "put on" these qualities and live them out in our personal relationships. This is what it means to be alive in Christ, a new wardrobe of the heart. What has the Apostle Paul just defined Christianity as, including or excluding?

[Rick] (33:58 - 34:35) All right, well, let's go back to the Apostle Paul's own words--no need to be creative. This is another inclusionary statement, all right? He says, "put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

We're going to pause there because there's a lot there, then we're going to come back to the next piece. But what is he saying? Read his words.

Take the Apostle at his word as we look at this. A Christian's life must be grounded in compassionate communication based on scriptural principles. Not what I think feels good--

based on scriptural principles. Ephesians 4:25-27:

[Jonathan] (34:35 - 34:50) "Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity."

[Rick] (34:51 - 35:31) "Laying aside falsehood, speak truth," because we belong to each other. We are connected. Okay, we get angry, but don't sin.

Put things in order, leave the past behind, and move forward. That's what putting on "a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, and gentleness and patience" looks like. Let's go on to the next inclusionary statement.

Paul continues, and again, using just his words. He says, "bearing with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you."

He's just letting us understand, here's how you live your everyday life.

[Julie] (35:32 - 36:01) "Bearing with one" another basically means put up with each other. Endure each other with patience. Paul uses a Greek form of the word that implies continual action.

If we can do this for each other, it gives us room to grow while we're being transformed. Notice Paul is not so subtle as to why we are to forgive others. It's because you were forgiven.

So if you've been forgiven, you have to, in turn, be forgiving.

[Rick] (36:01 - 36:04) True, very, very true. It says bear with one another, put up with one another.

[Julie] (36:05 - 36:06) Put up with one another.

[Rick] (36:06 - 36:14) This is why Jonathan and Julie get to work with me. They have to put up with me. Look, I can be difficult to work with.

[Julie] (36:15 - 36:16) No, Rick. Noooo....

[Rick] (36:20 - 36:44) I'm wired very differently than most, and it's like, oh, here he goes again. But there is the development, the character development on the part of all of us as we go through that. Here's the thing; a Christian's life must be able to work past its own friction-causing emotions, past our own friction-causing emotions, and learn to support others.

Supporting Scripture, 1 Corinthians 3:3-7:

[Jonathan] (36:44 - 37:08) "For you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?" Next, Paul gives us an example of that fleshly attitude; dividing themselves over leaders, saying, I'm with Paul, or I'm with Apollos.

But Paul and Apollos are just servants. One planted, one watered, but only God makes anything grow.

[Rick] (37:08 - 37:28) Friction-causing emotions-- I like the way Paul does it better. I like the way Apollos does it better.

Well, I'm with Christ! Stop! Swallow your pride, everybody, and start to put things in order according to Scriptural principle. God causes the growth.

It doesn't come from us. It comes through us by His grace.

[Julie] (37:29 - 37:34) Based on all these biblical descriptions, what does Christian unity accept or oppose?

[Rick] (37:34 - 38:03) All right, now we're going back again, Colossians 3:12-13, and the supporting Scriptures. What's the message for Christian unity here? It is supporting, it's an accepting message here.

Christian unity embraces the "new creation" in our brotherhood, even when we may not like them so much. This is getting into the human part of our aspect here, but it's important that we recognize that. Let's go to Ephesians 4:31-32:

[Jonathan] (38:03 - 38:18) "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

[Julie] (38:18 - 38:29) That forgiving part again. We have to embrace those with different personalities. It's a GOOD thing that everyone is not like me and everyone is not like you, Rick, or you, Jonathan.

It's a good thing. This is the diversity.

[Rick] (38:30 - 38:43) We don't go anywhere without that. We've got to be able to put those things away because you can't be unified if you're full of bitterness, anger, wrath, and clamor and slander. There's no unity when those things exist.

[Julie] (38:44 - 38:49) Based on these biblical descriptions, what does Christian diversity accept or oppose?

[Rick] (38:49 - 39:22) Again, this is an acceptance here. Christian diversity thoroughly embraces the uniqueness and variety in the lives of our brotherhood, just like we were just talking about, and how their different approaches are also focused on sacrificially serving God through Christ-- different approaches to sacrificially serving God through Christ.

I don't do it the same way you do, you don't do it the same way I do, and thank God for that. Let's look at a wonderful Scripture that supports this. Romans 14.

Jonathan, let's read Romans 14:4, 8:

[Jonathan] (39:23 - 39:55) "Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand... for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord;

therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." Paul explains that Christians may differ in how they handle certain practices, and that's okay. What matters is that our choices are made for the Lord, with a sincere desire to honor Jesus and having a clear conscience before God.

[Julie] (39:56 - 40:28) We don't have to deal with our fellow Christians eating meat offered to idols like Paul did, but today some choose to fast and some don't. Some abstain from alcohol entirely, and some have wine with dinner and that's just fine. We have different clothing preferences, we make different medical decisions, we decide how to spend our free time and our money and even the style of our worship music.

Christians differ greatly in their choices involving conscience, and we aren't supposed to judge each other for these differences.

[Rick] (40:28 - 41:35) We come from such different backgrounds, and that's one of the reasons. In our congregation, one of the things we do is we have a devotional meeting every three months or so, and our Sunday gathering is focused entirely on devotion. The assignment is whoever feels they would like to brings a song or a poem or something that's inspiring to them, and the rule for all of us is to accept the style, to accept whatever it is, and then we listen to it, and then the individual explains what it means to us. Folks, we have a wide variety. We've got older brethren, we've got younger brethren from different kinds of cultures, we've had rap music, we've had classical music, we've had country music, we have gospel music, and straightforward hymns, but it's a beautiful combination because everybody is contributing and everybody is listening to that which others have brought and finding appreciation because it came from their heart.

That's part of the diversity that we are truly looking to develop. Again, The Foundations of Christian Unity & Diversity:

[Jonathan] (41:36 - 41:45) Our ability to see past the contrary perspectives that some of our brethren may hold can be a good indicator of the depth of our own character development in Christ.

[Julie] (41:46 - 41:50) Am I quick to create friction and say they don't belong?

[Jonathan] (41:50 - 42:07) Good question. A spiritual maturity understands the difference between determining what is right and wrong and appreciating the diverse opinions we may hold as we grow in Christ. Let us be united even when diversity can bring challenges.

[Julie] (42:08 - 42:18) Unity is going to grow when we treat each other with compassion and forgiveness. Diversity works when we give people space to serve God in ways that fit their conscience.

[Rick] (42:19 - 42:36) Notice all of this is based on Christlike principles of what we leave behind and what we build our foundation upon. There's a lot to be said for growing into genuine Christlikeness. Without it, the ideas of unity and diversity simply remain ideas.

[Jonathan] (42:36 - 42:44) Without developing a true Christian character, we cannot expect to experience true Christian unity and diversity. What comes next?

[Rick] (42:45 - 43:23) This is such an important point. So much of the "unity" and "diversity" we now see in many Christian circles is based on meeting people where they are and not lifting them out of their fleshly lives. We're kind of content to just let it be. This lifting can only take place when selfless love is at work in a Christlike character.

Now as we go back to Colossians, we're going to see how this selfless love really comes into play after putting all of the rest of those character pieces in place. Julie, let's go to Colossians 3:14-15:

[Julie] (43:24 - 43:35) "Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful."

[Jonathan] (43:36 - 43:41) What has the Apostle Paul just defined Christianity as, including or excluding?

[Rick] (43:42 - 43:58) All right, so what did Paul just say? Well, he's talking about inclusion, and here's what he says: "...love, which is the perfect bond of unity."

We're just going to pause with that statement because it's powerful all by itself. "Love, which is the perfect bond of unity."

[Julie] (43:59 - 44:16) Paul has been building layer upon layer because he hasn't talked about unity yet, until right here. You have to first put off the old self. You have to put on the new self.

You have to learn compassion and patience and forgiveness, and now he finally ties it all together with love. Here's where the unity comes in.

[Rick] (44:16 - 44:36) What this tells us is a Christian's life must grow into being driven by selfless love. Not trying it out here and there-- being driven by selfless love.

There is no other way, because that's what drove Jesus, and we are supposed to be his followers, his disciples. Let's look to support this in Ephesians 4:15-16:

[Jonathan] (44:37 - 44:40) "But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."

[Rick] (45:01 - 45:44) Speak the truth in love and grow up. That's what it says in Ephesians. We need to grow up. Growing up--folks, it's simple--

growing up means leaving all of those other things behind. What other things? Go back to the beginning of chapter 3 of Colossians.

Read them again. They're there. They're plain.

They're simple. We've got love, the perfect bond of unity. That's a huge foundation for making all of this work.

The next inclusionary part--again, the words of the Apostle Paul. No creativity here. Let's listen.

Here's what he says: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful."

[Julie] (45:44 - 46:40) I love these words that Paul uses. Remember, in Greece at this time, sporting events were a big deal. When it says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts," literally what he's saying is, "let the peace of Christ be the umpire in your heart."

Let me quote from Barclay: "He uses a verb (this is Paul) from the athletic arena; it is the word that is used of the umpire who settled things in any matter of dispute.

If the peace of Jesus Christ is the umpire in any man’s heart, then, when feelings clash and we are pulled in two directions at the same time, the decision of Christ will keep us in the way of love and the church will remain the one body it is meant to be. The way to right action is to appoint Jesus Christ as the arbiter between the conflicting emotions in our hearts; and if we accept his decisions, we cannot go wrong." "Let the peace of Christ be the umpire in your heart."

[Rick] (46:41 - 47:13) It's very simple. A Christian's life must surrender to the peace of Christ. The umpire makes the final call.

He surrenders to the peace of Christ, reigning over us and guiding our unifying efforts. Unity doesn't happen just because we're in the same room. Unity happens because we work at it, because we are naturally so different.

We need to have the peace of Christ as the basis of our working together towards this unity. Let's look at Ephesians 2:14-16:

[Jonathan] (47:13 - 47:42) "For he himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in his flesh the enmity...so that in himself he might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity." Making the two into one man--what a strong united effect!

[Rick] (47:42 - 48:15) He himself is our peace. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." You were called to one body, act like what you were called to requires of you.

Follow the instruction, follow the direction, follow the Scriptures. Forget the traditions, forget the denominationalism, follow the Scriptures to walk towards how true Christian unity needs to be developed. Let's go a little bit further.

Let's go Colossians 3:16-17:

[Julie] (48:15 - 48:34) "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."

[Jonathan] (48:35 - 48:40) What does the Apostle Paul just define Christianity as, including or excluding?

[Rick] (48:40 - 49:30) What did Paul just say? Okay, let's break it down into a couple pieces. What did he say? He said this, and I quote: "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you." "Richly dwell within you"--

he's saying live this. It doesn't come to visit on Sunday and then go away Monday through Saturday. It not just dwells there, but when something richly dwells within you, that means it owns you.

Okay? It has decorated inside of your heart and your mind. It owns who you are and what you are.

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you." A Christian's life must be driven by seeking opportunities to serve and sacrifice for our brotherhood. It says, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you."

Let's go to the words of Jesus. John 13:14-16:

[Jonathan] (49:30 - 49:33) "f I then, the Lord and the teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the One who sent him."

[Rick] (49:50 - 51:05) "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you." Jesus got down on his knees and he washed the feet of those who followed him. As he did that, and he showed them, he said, this is how you need to treat one another. I'm giving you the example.

Let the word of Christ and the actions of Christ richly dwell within you. Let's go a little further in this Colossians 3:16-17. The next inclusionary part in terms of inclusion in our diversity and our unity is this, and I quote--don't have to get creative--

here's what he said: "...with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." There is a positiveness. There is an emotional release that he's saying, allow yourselves to build each other up any way you can "with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" with thankfulness in your hearts.

Thankfulness to what? To God for His grace, His strength, His guidance, His providence and His spirit. A Christian's life must learn to be inspired, inspired by God's word and to share that inspiration with others.

Let's go to 2 Peter 1:2-4:

[Jonathan] (51:06 - 51:35) "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust."

[Rick] (51:35 - 53:26) Having escaped what's in the world and having gone to these magnificent promises. Folks, if you look at the promises of God through Christ to those who follow in Jesus' footsteps, they promise guidance and strength and encouragement and inspiration in every single part-- every trial of our lives.

Doesn't say the trials are going to go away. It says here are the ways to get through them by the grace of God. We need to be inspired by these things.

The next inclusionary part in these verses in Colossians 3: "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." "Do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus."

Don't just say it. Be an example of what it looks like in actual action. Just a quick side story. Doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus...

it's not about the words. I had an experience while I was working a few years ago. I went to see a client and he was a Christian and we were talking about some things and I was ready to leave.

He said, "Can I pray for you before you go?" I thought, sure. He starts praying and then he starts with the kind of prayer where he's commanding, "decreeing" and "declaring" that the traffic be cleared and my way be safe and on and on.

He finished his prayer and I said thank you. I walked out and I got in my car and I bowed my head and said, "Lord, please forgive that prayer because we have no right to decree and declare anything from You or for You. Let Your will be done."

That's not where we need to be. Let's be acting in the way the Lord Jesus is teaching us. A Christian's life must learn to stand strong in God's grace with humble acceptance of what?

Of one another. It's not just about me. It's about us working together.

Here's the context of our theme Scripture. Jonathan, let's go to Ephesians 4:1-6:

[Jonathan] (53:26 - 54:02) "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all."

[Rick] (54:02 - 54:11) This gives us a sense of the humble acceptance needed of one another to find true Christian unity.

[Julie] (54:12 - 54:17) Based on all these biblical descriptions, what does Christian unity accept or oppose?

[Rick] (54:17 - 54:36) This is another accepting, and this is really focusing on Colossians 3:14-17. Christian unity embraces the contributions of the brotherhood that are unique to each of them. It doesn't just say, well, yeah, that's okay.

There they go again. It embraces them, makes them of great importance. 1 Corinthians 12:21-23:

[Jonathan] (54:37 - 54:39) "And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable."

[Rick] (55:03 - 55:37) How good are we at doing that? How good are we at looking at those who maybe have less to offer, are not as eloquent, maybe don't have an educational background or the means to do this or that or the other thing and keep them exactly on the same level? No, wait, no. Why don't we put them on an even higher level because they're working so hard toward Christ.

That's where we can find this unity really, really beginning to expand. When we stop being full of ourselves and we start being full of the fellowship of the body of Christ.

[Julie] (55:37 - 55:43) What about diversity? Based on these biblical descriptions, what does Christian diversity accept or oppose?

[Rick] (55:43 - 56:16) This is another acceptance. Christian diversity thoroughly embraces the challenge of inclusion even when we stand apart, even when we don't have some fundamental agreements, even when we see things differently and we have challenges with one another. It's so important to recognize that we need one another.

We need that diversity and we need the patience and love to work through it and grow into what one body of Christ looks like. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13:

[Jonathan] (56:16 - 56:49) "Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren...that there are quarrels among you. ...That each of you is saying, I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ. Has Christ been divided?

Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"

[Rick] (56:49 - 57:10) Let's put the pettiness aside. Now our strength has to be built on Christlikeness, on scriptural principles, unequivocally and only.

We established that early on. Let's put the pettiness aside and work together based on those scriptural principles and build true unity through true diversity.

[Julie] (57:10 - 57:26) Okay, we've gone through a lot of Scriptures, so what is the answer to our theme question? Are both unity and diversity possible in today's Christianity? Are we supposed to be working hard to bring all denominations and all the sects together as one?

[Rick] (57:27 - 58:30) That's a good question. I think that is not the focus. I think the focus is to find the foundation of true Christianity in Scripture and to stand only on that foundation and to draw to ourselves and to those who stand for such things, those should come together.

Frankly and bluntly, there are many denominations that--and you had mentioned this earlier, Julie--that look at diversity as "Come as you are, and basically stay as you are, and it's okay, we're all in this together." It has to be that we come together, we come as we are, but we don't stay that way. We have to grow in Christ.

Our focus on unity and diversity needs to be amongst those who truly want to have a Christlike basis based on the Scriptures. We quoted a ton of Scriptures in this podcast for the very reason of saying, here's how the Bible describes it. Let's put this all together. The Foundations of Christian Unity & Diversity:

[Julie] (58:30 - 58:41) True Christian unity is very real and a beautiful possibility, as long as we adhere to the clear scriptural principles that define our Christian lives and behavior.

[Jonathan] (58:42 - 58:58) True Christian diversity is a given as long as we clearly understand the difference between being diverse and being our old selves. The key to both is leaving our sinful earthly selves behind, following Jesus, and embracing all who are doing the same.

[Rick] (58:58 - 59:53) Folks, as we wrap this up, it really comes down to what do the Scriptures teach us about Christian unity and Christian diversity? How well am I walking along those lines and essentially ignoring and putting everything else behind me? Because the Scriptures define every part of our lives in a scriptural fashion so that we can build unity and accept dramatic diversity within the context of being a true disciple of Christ.

That's our mission. That's what our lives are about. That is what we are called to.

Make no mistake. "Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds," and thereby find unity and find diversity in Christ. Think about it. Coming up in our next episode: "What Is the Balance Between Pride and Humility?"

Final Notes: copyright @2026 Christian Questions. In addition to this transcript, we provide comprehensive CQ Rewind Show Notes for every episode. They include every scripture quoted during the podcast, as well as graphics, illustrations and bonus material. Click the "CQ Rewind Show Notes" button near the audio player or sign up to receive these weekly at ChristianQuestions.com. This transcript was created using artificial intelligence. While we believe it to be accurate, we apologize for any errors that may exist.