You sit in the pew that you always do and someone unfamiliar sits beside you. Do you 

1) quickly avoid eye contact and keep company with those you know, 

2) scoot over in an effort to social distance for fear of catching a stranger-danger “sickness,”

3) think about your lunch plans or reach for your phone to avoid an interaction, or

4) introduce yourself, get to know them, and maybe even make a connection?

While our natural tendencies may gravitate toward one of the first three choices, we must ask ourselves how those reactions contribute toward our responsibilities as members of the body of Christ. The body of Christ cannot be idle in its efforts to cultivate unity. If the body of Christ is going to function to the fullest, the body must be one. 

How we interact with fellow believers will unite or divide us. The condition of our congregation is of great concern. Paul worked fervently to praise or correct the churches in his time, but which letter from Paul would your church receive? Would it be like the criticism of the Corinthians? Would Paul commend you like the Thessalonians? 

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul is clear about the necessity to rid ourselves of divisions in the church. So, regarding the unfamiliar one in your pew, Paul might urge you to greet them in love, pursuing unity and harmony with them. When we neglect one of our members, Paul states that it is as if the body forgets that it has a hand or a leg (1 Cor. 12:12-27). Thus, the body is forced to adapt and function without that member when all it has to do is notice that its hand or leg is actually there. On the other hand, the member that is left unnoticed becomes a stranger to its own body. You can imagine the effects of such a reality. Let us not be blind to the members in our body and instead seek to worship in unity and welcome each other as we collectively participate in praise. 

Paul sets a vision for the condition of the church in Romans 15:5-7 (ESV): “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” If we are to fulfill this vision, we must have all hands on deck. The church offers believers an opportunity to experience communion in likeness to and participation with the triune God. It is clear that creation functions best in fellowship. Thus, our involvement and experience in the church should reflect the Trinity. In John 17, Jesus prays that we may be one just as Jesus and the Father are one (John 17:21). The Trinity’s cooperation in creation and salvation leaves us with a clear demonstration of the unity and fellowship expected among believers. We are of one body, but the Spirit has gifted us each uniquely according to God’s purpose. As we use our gifts in cooperation with each other, the body functions fully in unity. Our service and sacrifice must complement that of our brothers and sisters in Christ just as the Father, Son, and Spirit cooperate in and through all things. 

Paul earnestly challenges us to “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19). If we are to achieve peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we must humble ourselves and learn to rid ourselves of division. Peace cannot be established if we refrain from mending relationships with fellow believers or ignore the community of believers around us. Instead, we must strive for peace, seeking unity in mind and spirit so that we may present ourselves in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord as we worship Him. Further, mutual edification requires relationship. In order to effectively build each other up, we must build a relationship. Mutual edification manifests itself in our fellowship and discipleship. We all have a call to know and grow with our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

So, our mission stands. Let us welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us, for the glory of God. May the Spirit guide us as we mend and nurture the parts of the body that have been neglected in our own congregations. Let us worship in unity today.