Anger, Love & Unity

Pastor Fisher's sermon this last week called to mind a devotion I wrote about anger, love, and unity in the body of Christ for my Brethren History class this last year. Hope you enjoy!

Nonresistance, Love & Unity

Out of a firm conviction that believers ought to understand, believe, and act out the principles of the Bible in its plain sense, the Brethren have taken seriously the command to love both neighbor and enemy with the love of Christ.[1] Consequently, they accepted to two key character commitments in their fellowship: nonresistance and unity. In regard to their own persecutors and outside threats, they refused to take up arms. In regard to their fellowship, they practiced mutual concern and honest confrontation when needed. It is clear then, that their commitment to nonresistance is not the result of a passive character but instead a commitment to compassion.

In his general survey of the doctrines and ordinances of the Church of the Brethren, Quincy Leckrone notes that peace is the outward manifestation of good conscience first toward each other, second among organizations or nations, and third between man and God.[2] Leckrone writes:

When the temper ruffles, the heart quickens its pace, the eye sparkles, the face flushes, when an indescribable emotion ruling within dispels with resentment the cherished thoughts of another, there is no peace there. There is no consenting inward testimony bearing evidence that the two individuals are capable of enjoying, without a clash, the join possession of the same thing at the same time. This condition is conscience in rebellion against the thing it was not taught to appreciate or was taught to resent.[3]

We see that where the conscience refuses to yield to another and fails to appreciate the image of God within another, there is no peace. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. Peace is the outworking of a good conscience toward the other. Peace is most present when we desire the good of the other above ourselves.

Though it may not be witnessed as chief a concern for Brethren congregations today, the early Brethren sought earnestly to maintain unity of belief and practice. Durnbaugh notes, “Unlike the state churches where a variety of lifestyles and economic conditions were tolerated within the religion as long as creedal conformity and sacramental practices were observed, Brethren believed that unity should be sought in most aspects of life as well as of faith. Outsiders read this as an expression of sectarianism. Brethren understood this as another expression of mutual regard and love.”[4] While others were more concerned with confession of words, the Brethren were concerned with the transformation of the gathered community into Christ-likeness.

Nonresistance and pursuit of unity are two sides of the same coin. It is love of the other that holds the two together. As we reflect upon the life and teaching of Christ, in what ways does Jesus model both the refusal to coerce and the commitment to the transformation of his faith community? As you reflect upon your role in the community of faith, in what ways have pride and selfish desire broken the bonds of peace? In what ways have anxiety and apathy thinned the bonds of unity in your relationships? In imitation of Christ, may we continue evermore to grow in peace and love.

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[1] Donald F. Durnbaught, Fruit of the Vine: A History of the Brethren (Elgin IL: Brethren Press, 1997), 49.

[2] Quincy Leckrone, The Great Redemption (North Manchester: Bible Student Publishing Co., 1898), 227.

[3] Ibid., 227-228.

[4] Durnbaugh, Fruit of the Vine, 50.

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