Common Threads

When people live with and around other people, there will probably always be two givens. One … they will have differences that may cause division, strife and stress that will weaken the connections. Two … they will have commonalities that bring joy, hope and bonds that will strengthen the same. IT IS POSSIBLE for both differences and commonalities to exist in the same community.

Harrison Ford, actor and star of the infamous film series “Star Wars,” once said, “What’s important is to be able to see yourself as having commonality with other people and not determine, because of your good luck, that everybody is less significant, less interesting, less important than you are.”

Isn’t that a smart perspective?

Another favorite actor, Dennis Quaid, said in speaking on his faith and tolerance, “Certainly I’m a Christian first and foremost. But I do believe in religious tolerance and finding commonality between us all. I think that’s how we’re all going to come together.”

“Do we want to come together?”

The city of Corinth was a diverse center of political, financial, commercial and intellectual life in ancient Rome. The city was renowned for luxury, as well as sexual vices and what one commentary referred to as “sacred prostition.” I found that term “disconcerting” and wanted further explanation. I found that it referrs to an aspect of religious worship that includes sexual rites/intercourse and other sexual activities. Something that I’m not at all comfortable with and would have no part of, but after reading further, I recognize how such practices have been incorporated into “some” religious sects. (remember that not all religions or religious practices are or would be deemed “Godly” … or holy)

In any event, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians (or the church in Corinth) to address some issues they were experiencing based upon ethical, doctrinal, and “practical” differences. The audience of Paul’s letter was quite diverse. In this Roman city, there were many people of varied backgrounds, cultures, religions … Italians, Greeks, Jews, Egyptians, and Asians. The make-up of this particular church greatly reflected this same diversity.

This might also sound a bit familiar … the Corinthians were a tad bit “haughty” of their intelligence (knowledge), and one might say, “arrogant” in their perception of their “spiritual maturity.” As mentioned in a previous article, with The LOVE Chapter included in this letter, Paul’s urging to the Corinthians was that LOVE, rather than their knowledge or confidence in their knowledge, should be the basis for their ethics.

I doubt there are many who would disagree with Paul on that account. After all, sometimes we really don’t know all the things we think we know, right? But as we know very well, in this world, some “ethics” are based upon other motivations … GREED for one.

Even Paul gave acknowledgement of the many blessings and positive/potential attritubes the Corinthians experienced. But very quickly in the beginning of his letter, he implored upon the group to “get it together.” Beginning in verse 10, he called out the sore spots of their divisions.

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ¹¹ For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. ¹² Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” ¹³ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 1:10-12

He basically said in no uncertain terms … “You are losing focus!” The things that are dividing you are NOT AS STRONG (or as IMPORTANT) as the Thing that unites you. (Dwell on that a minute.)

UNITY … “COMMONUNITY” does not (and I say MUST NOT) negate INDIVIDUALITY.

UNITY … “COMMONUNITY” does not (and I insist MUST NOT) negate DIVERSITY.

God’s CREATION is all about DIVERSITY. God’s calling is on the INDIVIDUAL first.

We can be individuals, with our own thoughts, feelings, preferences, ideas, skills, talents, gifts … and still “come together” as a rich, thoughtful, purposeful, practical and UNIFIED community.

But do we want to come together?

The concept behind “Let’s Mend This” is finding that COMMON THREAD that will serve to “stitch up” those torn places … bind the frays and strengthen the garment of our COMMONUNITY.

In our “peopleness” — a “common” and somewhat passive/aggressive phrase used is “Agree to Disagree.”

Well, okay. But I really don’t think such a phrase is employed to offer any mending. It’s just a means to “walk away” from a disagreement without any further discussion or resolution.

While there are many admonitions in the Bible for us to “come together” and “be of one mind” —- these are not specifically based upon sharing the same specifics of living life or “knowledge” of things going on around us. Paul said it in the passage above and Peter says it too,

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 

⁹ not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 

¹⁰ For He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.

1 Peter 3: 8-10

So … as we consider “Let’s Mend This” … let us each pray to find those “common threads” that will do the binding; dwell on those good things and follow these words from Peter and Paul … two men who clearly had strong personalities, individuality and passion … but LOVE for those with whom they lived life ~ their COMMONUNITY.