“Blest Be The Tie That Binds” is a hymn of our faith that was written in 1782. The theme of Christian unity is woven throughout. If you are like me, you’ll be singing or humming as you read these three stanzas:
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.
From sorrow, toil, and pain,
and sin, we shall be free;
and perfect love and friendship reign
through all eternity.
What is the tie that binds fellow believers? Certainly, our common beliefs in Christ connect us. But going much deeper and further than simply sharing certain similar viewpoints, Jesus’ blood that was shed on calvary unifies us. We are united through the forgiveness of our sins and the salvation we have received. We are also united through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The theme of unity in Christ appears throughout Paul’s writings. We recently read from the book of Titus during our Bible Reading Immersion journey:
…Slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:2-5
As followers of Christ, we ought to live as people whose unity cannot be severed. We are to be known by our love and gentleness. As fallen people, we are easily motivated by our own opinions or our felt need to be right in our own eyes. When this is our driving force, division is likely. Rather than tearing one another down, we should communicate the Truth of God’s Word to one another. We should view each individual as made in the image of God and deserving of our love and respect.
One of the tremendous joys from which we benefit is bearing one another’s burdens. Because of our “tie that binds,” our empathy can exhibit the tenderness and compassion of Christ. As the song says, “We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear, and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.” Would you consider if there is someone whose burden you can share in today?
As believers, we have the hope of a shared eternity together, along with Christ. This is all the more reason for us to be unified in our relationships with one another. Christians have a bond with one another that will never end. We will forever reap the benefits of our salvation through the blood of Jesus. Let us continually grow in our “tie that binds.”
Love in Christ,
Adam