The aim of fellowship is not just to keep peace or avoid conflict. The goal is much higher: to glorify God with one voice. Paul prayed,
“Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice. Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God” (Romans 15:5-7).
Notice the flow of Paul’s words. Harmony is not the end goal. Unity is a means to something greater: that our lives, worship, and witness together would point to God. When Christians from diverse backgrounds, consciences, and personalities join in one song of praise, the world sees something only God can do.
This prayer comes in the middle of Paul’s teaching on how to handle differences. In Romans 14, some ate meat, others did not. Some observed special days, others did not. Paul did not say those differences were meaningless. He urged each person to be convinced in their own mind and to honor the Lord in their choices (Romans 14:5-6). But he reminded them that those differences must never divide their fellowship. Why? Because the higher purpose was that God be glorified.
Unity, then, is not about uniformity. It is about learning to welcome each other as Christ has welcomed us. And that welcome cost Him the cross. If Jesus could receive us, with all our failures, sins, and weaknesses, then surely we can extend grace to one another in matters of opinion.
When the church lives this way, several things happen:
God is honored. Our unity directs attention to Him, not to ourselves (John 17:20–23).
The world sees Christ. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
The church is strengthened. Paul told the Ephesians, “From him the whole body… promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:16).
So, who is my brother? He is the one who, with me, is lifting praise to the same Father through Christ. We may differ in conscience, in background, and in practice, but when we glorify God together, we declare that His grace is greater than anything that divides us.
Fellowship is not simply about peace with one another. It is about praising God. The more we welcome each other, the louder our combined voice becomes in glorifying Him.
Amen!