Unity

I have been thinking about this subject of "unity in the body" for the past few weeks.  I love to read John 17 and hear God's heart for the church.  This amazing conversation between the Father and the Son reveals just how strong He feels about this issue.  It is sad to look at the scope of Christianity and see that what characterizes us is anything except unity.  Christians are divided over everything from major issues like doctrine to stupid things like the color of carpet or styles of music.  The entire time that Christians are fighting and divided, the mission suffers, the lost keep looking for something real and God's heart keeps breaking.  What unites us - Not just as "a church" but as "the church"?  We are united by our Father - Each of us, regardless of our address, color, age, or economic status, have been chosen for adoption.  We have gone from darkness to light, not because of who we are but because of His great mercy and grace.  We are united by the mission that He has entrusted us with.  The good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ that provides full and free deliverance from the power and the penalty of sin according the grace of God alone, through faith in Christ alone - This mission to take the gospel to our cities and to this world must unite us.  

I guess each person must figure out for themselves what they really care about and then spend their life fighting for it.  As for me, I Cor 1:2 I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified