The Korean Demilitarized Zone is undoubtedly one of the world’s most heavily fortified borders. It is a constant reminder of a conflict frozen in time. A conflict where two nations that share history, language, and heritage remain locked in perpetual standoff. Families are divided. Resources drain into defense. The real tragedy, however, is that they are the same people, separated by ideology. Perhaps this sounds familiar. I dare say the Body of Christ often mirrors this landscape. It is known to create hostile borders over non-essential matters while the world watches our division instead of witnessing our unity in Christ.

Like the Koreans, the Body of Christ shares a common foundation at the foot of the Cross. Paul shares that we can be one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one unified trinity (Ephesians 4:4-6). We can not undo the foundation we have in Christ, and no other foundation can be laid (1 Corinthians 3:11). We ought to move in unity, a common goal, and in sameness of mind. The Korean nations move in the sameness of language and culture, but the unity in the essentials was not enough to settle their differences. In the Body of Christ, it can and must be. 

The true believer is justified and sanctified by the Gospel of Grace, which is resultant from the finished work of the Cross. This is essential. A non-essential, although sometimes it feels like the end of the world when the line is crossed, are worship styles, meeting formats, eschatological timelines, and the like. When these non-essentials divide, then a preference is fortified over the foundation itself, and we become worse than a divided culture. 

The DMZ was instituted in 1953. Many deaths have resulted thereof. Although the Christian will never taste death, what benefits of the Body are shot and killed at the cost of Christian standoffs. Which passers-by look in on the stand-offs of Christianity and choose to avoid the faith altogether, but it appears to be more headache than healing. 

God’s word instructs us to receive others in the faith. Romans 14:1 reads, “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” The Korean DMZ drains military resources, but our doctrinal DMZs drain spiritual energy. Both separate and fragment families with lines that no one dares to cross. 

Nonetheless, the Apostle Paul offers a path to peace and unity. Esteem one another and esteem the essential doctrine of faith by grace! Romans 14:3-5 teaches, “Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Put away contempt and put on the new man (Romans 14:10, 13; Ephesians 4:24). Grace gives liberty on disputable matters as we stand firm on the Gospel!

One day, I pray that many of the members of Christ will be unified and cross the DMZ of disputables. I pray the Church will unify and walk in sameness of mind. This unity starts with the lowercase c church first and makes its way outward. Be a part of this movement! Believers do not need exactness in uniformity but require unity. Reallocate resources from defending preferences to proclaiming the wonderful mystery of Christ!

Perhaps, each of us should ask, “Where have I created a DMZ with fellow believers over non-essentials? 

Lay down arms. Build bridges. Allow the world to see a Body united in the essentials of grace, generous in non-essentials, and grounded in the love of Christ. The Korean peninsula dreams of a brilliant reunification, but the Body of Christ can live it. 

Romans 14:19 ~ “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”