BEYOND BORDERS, TOGETHER TOMORROW

Session 2 : Together

IDENTITY & UNITY

PREFACE

How do you feel that we have left our familiar families, churches, and communities to gather
here? Excited or nervous? Is it novel or boring? Are you happy or frustrated? No matter
what, this period of time is still a part of your life, don't leave it to sit idle. In this session, I
will share with you some pointers on church fellowship interactions and friendship issues in
life.

1. IDENTITY & UNITY

There are two important prerequisites for communication between people : Identity and
Unity.

Identity defines self: Who am I? This issue is a lifelong issue for individuals and groups,
because as time and environment change, people's identities, thoughts, and values may
change too. Whether or not we can sincerely and clearly introduce ourselves when
communicating with others will affect how we form future friendships.

In addition, it is also related to one's life direction and mission commitment. For example:
Am I a "Taiwanese Christian" or a "Christian Taiwanese"?

Most Christians (in Taiwan) are taught that we are "Taiwanese Christians", the body of Jesus
Christ, and we are one family with the universal church. But actual religious life is not
necessarily like this: rivalry between denominations and conflicts of faith concepts make it
difficult for the church to have a unified testimony.

Therefore, the meaning of "Christian" is not the identity or title but the likeness of Christ -
the followers of Christ. "Christian Taiwanese" refers to Taiwanese who live out the likeness
of Christ; Taiwanese who participate in the Christian salvation movement. Their mission is
to deliver the love and grace of Christ, the justice, peace, and joy of God’s Kingdom into
every corner of Taiwan.

If the churches in Taiwan can take the heart of Christ as their own and the mission of Christ
(the Gospel of God) as their mission, then they are more likely to have a unified testimony.
The same is true for the universal church. Even non-Christians (God’s people?!) will
participate in the ecumenical movement within God’s family (the world).

Unity is a relationship of "shared weal and woe" for a group. It is not just a simple
translation of the Chinese characters as "united", but it also relates to "responsibility",
"interdependence", and "sharing honour & disgrace", which requires an attitude of empathy
and empathy.

2. THE MODEL OF CHRIST - IDENTIFYING WITH HUMANITY AND

ENTERING INTO THE WORLD

The Gospel of John records: 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We
have seen his glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and
truth. (John 1:14 NIV)

God became a human being and lives among us. This is the religious meaning of "together".
Jesus is the best example of "togetherness”. Christians often confess: I believe in Jesus! But
I don’t really understand the meaning of "faith" very well.

Faith (Greek: Pistis), means loyalty, trust, and commitment. To believe in Jesus means
following Jesus and committing to His mission. If Jesus took the initiative to go into the
people (especially weak groups) to be with them, and to bring grace and truth to them; then
as Christians we should do the same.

3. IDENTIFYING WITH CHRIST

As Christ identifies with the world, He also invites into His Church those who identify with
His mission. In the Gospel of John, he mentions His mission in the world: 10The thief comes
only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John
10:10-11 NIV).
When we confess our faith in Jesus Christ, we must go among the people to heal and enrich
their lives. This is true for every Christian; and it is also true for the church, which must
become a blessing to the community.

4. UNITY WITH CHRIST

To identify with Christ is to identify with and participate in His mission. In other words,
Christians are disciples of Christ.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus promised that He would be with the disciples until the very
end of the age. (Matthew 28:20 NIV). The Lord Jesus also promised the disciples that they
would become His friends if they could learn the way He sacrifices for the world and love
one another as such:
12
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than
this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I
command. (John 15:12-14 NIV)

The ultimate goal of the Christian faith is to be one with Christ. The process is this: Christ
identifies with the world, goes into the world, and delivers salvation; He also calls on all
Men to become His disciples, and promises to be with the disciples and to carry out His
mission, which is to heal & enrich life.

He also commanded his disciples to practice a Christ-like life of unity by "loving one
another."

5. LOVING ONE ANOTHER

To be in unity is to be connected to Christ, and to become a family (the church) in Christ,

and to live out a Christ-like life of "loving one another."

Therefore, Christ’s model of “loving one another” is a key element to test whether we are a
church in unity with Christ. But what is the reality of church life? The church is the body of
Christ and a community of life. It should care for, support, and love one other. Then why do
conflicts, rivalry, and mutual harm occur?

6. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES IN LOVING ONE OTHER

The command Jesus gave is : My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

We often overlook the scripture 'as I have loved you' and instead practice 'loving one
another' according to human nature. 'Human nature' love for one another often centres on
“self” when treating others.

Psychology has a theory called “psychological defense mechanism,” which functions to

reduce anxiety caused by unacceptable or potentially harmful things. People have the instinct
to protect themselves, so they will draw red lines as boundaries to protect themselves.

When someone steps on your red line, you will naturally avoid them in order to avoid
distress. The larger a person's red line area, the more difficult their interpersonal
relationships, making it harder for them to love one another. "Christ-like" love for one other
one another focuses on others as the main subject, sacrificing oneself to benefit others, which
seems to be contrary to human nature.

Therefore, the key to overcoming self-protection mechanisms is 'willpower'; breaking

through self-defense requires willpower. To practice altruistic love, one must rely on the
power given by Christ/the Holy Spirit. The life of a Christian is a pilgrimage, walking with
Christ, continuously renewing and transforming, turning from self-love to altruism."

7. THE 5 LEVELS OF INTERPERSONAL INTERACTION

Next, we will discuss the art of making friends by referring to the five levels of interpersonal
interaction mentioned in John Powell's book 'Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am?'

Level 5: Cliché conversation. Greetings with no substantive meaning when meeting (e.g.,
'Have you eaten?').

Level 4: Talking about others. The content of the conversation revolves around discussing
others (Gossip?).

Level 3: Sharing thoughts and judgments. Starting to introduce who I am and my values.

Level 2: Expressing emotions and feelings. Sincerely expressing one's likes, dislikes, and
emotions.

Level 1: Complete honesty. Wanting to become close friends with the other person.

Level 3 interaction is the key process in making friends, as both parties are willing to put
forward themselves, which is the beginning of a connection.

8. FELLOWSHIP LIFE

In addition to general friendship, Christians also have church fellowship life. This is a
community life that is based on Christian faith.

Fellowship: koinonia (Greek), fellowship, association, assistance, co-living (being together),

learning to 'love one another” in a Christ-like manner.
It includes three elements:

1. Communication and sharing

2. The act of sharing

3. Gathering and fellowship

Sharing is not simply an idea but requires practical action. To share joys and hardships, to
form a loving community. Such fellowship is mission-driven, purposeful, continuously
renewed, and loved by all people.
44
All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and
possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in
the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere
hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their
number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:44-47 NIV)