Come Together, Right Now
Let’s go back…
It’s October of 1969 and the Beatles just released their, Abbey Road album which has two singles for a double, side A treat. Dasing home from the local music store, you are anxious to check out the latest from one of the most legendary bands to date.
You slap the record on the player, drop the needle and “Something” starts filling your bedroom with soft, electric guitar chords and love filled lyrics about a wonderful woman George Harrison has no plans of leaving. Ahhh… yes, instant hit! They’ve done it again, you think.
Then “Come Together” begins to rock through the speakers. The groove is instantly infectious and you are immediately hooked. John Lennon starts to belt out the first verse and you stop and stare at your record player, completely confused.
Ju-ju eyeball? Toe-jam football? Walrus gumboot? What the heck is any of that supposed to mean?
Those song lyrics have been debated for years, since its first release over five decades ago. The most popular train of thought believes the verses represent each one of the band members, and Lennon’s description of the men. John used his characteristic, cryptic writing style, with obscure, word pictures to evoke emotions and imagery for Paul, Ringo, George and himself, but perhaps those would have been best left within his own mind, instead of leaving us scratching our head in confusion.
Nonetheless, “Come Together” became one of The Beatles biggest hits from the album that year, and the music is still sampled today from other artists, and heard in TV commercials.
What does this song have to do with today’s Word Wednesday? Well, not only is the chorus of the song the easiest (and only) part to understand, its message is one we need to heed in the church today. Unity!
Abbey Road, The Beatles
Over the years, I have seen a widening divide within the Bride of Christ, that is growing larger than the riff between Paul McCartney and John Lennon. This is not what Jesus intended for the big “C”, church. Christ knew this would be a difficult concept for the body of believers to achieve. We are but flesh, and selfish desires often complicate unity.
In one of the longest recorded prayers we have from Jesus, we see Him petitioning the Father on our behalf, just before His crucifixion.
“I am praying not only for these disciples, but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one- as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us, so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (John 17:20-23)
What did our Savior have on His mind before He would give His life for the world? Unity. Oneness. A desire for His children to come together, work together and live together with one mind and one accord, bent toward the will of the Father.
The authors of the Bible, also had much to say regarding unity within the body of believers. Why? Because it is the foundation for a strong church, and when the church is strong, the devil and his demons are more easily defeated- and he knows this.
Satan smiles when we argue over the worship style on Sunday morning or what translation of the scriptures someone should be reading. I can hear laughter from the darkness when believers get bent out of shape over large buildings vs small congregations. Shouldn’t a pastor dress a certain way?
Sinister grins emerge across the lips of the wicked one when we break fellowship with other Christ followers because we do not agree on end times doctrine, Calvinism vs Arminianism or if speaking in tongues is still for today.
These and many other topics, divide our churches, leaving us fractured and vulnerable to enemy attacks. Our spiritual forefathers understood the necessity of coming together in love, purpose and unity. Here are just a few scriptures you can find encouraging unified behavior among the saints.
“How good and pleasant is it when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10)
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3)
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6)
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14: 10, 19)
Far too often, we back-bite, gossip and even slander our brothers and sisters instead of praying for and loving them, as we have been taught by Christ to do. When we do these things, we look far too much like the world. Why would a nonbeliever want what we have, if what we are showing them, is no different than what they can get from their work place?
First, let’s establish the foundational basics that cannot be moved or changed when it comes to biblical theology.
Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. He lived 33 years on this earth, fully man and fully God.
He died on the cross, taking the punishment of all of mankind’s sin upon Himself as the sacrificial Lamb. This was needed to repair the breech between us and the Father.
On the third day, He arose from the grave victorious over Hell and death. He is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heavenly places.
Placing your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and repenting from your sins, is the only way to God the Father in Heaven and salvation.
Hell is real, and if your salvation is not in Christ Jesus, you will go there when you die.
God is three persons in one- God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit.
We are made in God’s image and all we see (and cannot see with the naked eye) was created by and through the Son.
The Bible is the infallible Word of God, and we are not to add to or take away from any scripture passages.
God created male and female, period. No other genders, and they are not fluid.
Marriage is between one man and one woman.
We are to live holy, as He is holy. Putting sin to death in our lives daily and trying our best to walk blameless before the Lord, confessing our errors quickly.
Jesus Christ is coming back for His Bride, and we will live with Him forever in the heavenly home He is preparing for us.
These are the main ideologies that cannot be changed, rearranged or removed if you call yourself a Christian. I will die on my hill over these teachings, and so should you. Most other topics, are up for a good, healthy, friendly and respectful debate, whereby at the end of the discussion, you shake hands and plan to do lunch next week.
Instead, we establish totally different churches, to fit the totally different outlier issues we believe, and refuse to listen and fellowship with others, simply because of things that make no difference in the actual gospel message. As stated previously, we are looking more and more like today’s “cancel culture”, instead of the light of the world and a city on the hill.
Church- stop it!
There are millions of people lost and dying in their sin, while we fight about the color of the carpet in the sanctuary. Countless fellow men and women drowning in hopelessness, as we argue pre-trib, mid-trib or post-trib and if there will be a rapture. Friends, family, neighbors and coworkers will die and go to Hell this year, but go ahead and worry about the style of music that should be performed each Sunday- because that is more important.
I pray, as Christ did, for unity. I pray we have one heart and mind focused on doing the will and work of the Father. In case you have forgotten what that may be, because it seems most of the church has, let me refresh your memory and help regain your focus.
“Jesus approached and breaking the silence said to them. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days, to the very close and consummation of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
We have much work to do, and we need all hands on deck. If you need to make amends with a fellow brother or sister in Christ, go now and make peace. Then go together and share the gospel with someone.
If your church needs to repair a relationship with another group of believers of a different denomination, do not delay. Talk through those differences, and then combine your congregations for a city wide outreach event to tell the lost about Christ.
Let’s come together, right now! Over Jesus!