Unity over accuracy

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3 KJV)

Ephesians 4 has a ton of really good instruction. Both for the individual and the greater church body as a whole. In thinking through this instruction it appears that unity is more important than accuracy. There certainly is a place for accuracy in what is being done, but loving the other and being at peace with the other seems to provide a higher lesson than being razor sharp accurate about something is able to provide. “Forbearing one another in love…” seems to both grow someone and mature someone in what love really is better than developing an accuracy about love which might actually divide. Strictness divides people into sects and subsects. Real love knows the goal is honest enough that if you keep on, you’ll get there, or it will become obvious in time that there was never any love in you; only selfish desires. Unity does not water down accuracy. Unity gives accuracy a real target along with meaning. Unity allows the whole group to have something to be genuine about.

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9 KJV)