common denominator
n
1. (Mathematics) an integer exactly divisible by each denominator of a group of fractions: 1/3, 1/4, and 1/6 have a common denominator of 12
2. a belief, attribute, etc., held in common by members of a class or group
For the better part of my life I have sought to bring people together. I am so graciously blessed to pastor a church that is made up of such a diverse group of believers. I am asked quite often how we manage to draw such a diverse body of people. For years I have given the same answer, "It's the common denominator." Of course, many ask what that "common denominator" is. It is Jesus, the Word of God!
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. - Revelation 5:9-10
A Common Denominator, in a non-mathematical definition, is a belief held in common by members of a class or group. The Kingdom of God is made up of people from every kindred, tongue and nation. Citizens of the Kingdom are a very diverse group. However, as different as we may all appear to be, we are still Christians. Christ is our common-denomitor. He makes us one in Him!
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind. -Matthew 13:47
Jesus said that the Kingdom was like a net that gathered some of "every kind." But what is held in common by the citizens of the Kingdom? The answer is the Kingdom itself. I often think of how preposterous it is for the Body of Christ to be divided by skin color, denomination or tradition. We have something that unifies us. And that which unifies us is far stronger than anything that could divide us! Our common denominator is not our skin color, it's not our traditions nor social status or class. Yet the enemy has worked feverishly to keep us separated by that which we are no longer to be identified with.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. -2 Corinthians 5:16-18
We see that in 2 Corinthians 5:16, we are not supposed to be known or identified by our flesh. We are not even supposed to identify Jesus today after His flesh (viewing Him only as a Jew). Secondly, we see in verse 17 that we are a new creation in Christ with old things being passed away and ALL things becoming new! Thirdly, we see that we have been reconciled to God through Jesus. And the last thing I want to point out in these verses is found in verse 18, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation.
reconcile - to change mutually, i.e. (figuratively) to compound a difference
[Strongs Dictionary]
The ministry of reconciliation cannot begin until we recognize who we are in Christ. If we are still viewing our lives in our old nature (the old man) and not entering into the newness of Christ we will be unsuccessful in our ability to reconcile. For an example: Ephesians 2:15-19 speaks of how Jesus literally made one new man out of two! He made both Jews and Gentiles to be one in Him! Wow! What a statement. Jesus is saying that He became the Common Denominator!
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. -Ephesians 2:14-19
Therefore, the only way the enemy can keep the Body of Christ divided is to keep us identifying with our flesh, traditions, ethnicity, race, political party, etc. Once we identify ourselves with the Kingdom of God and begin to pledge our allegiance to God, His Word and His Kingdom; we will discover the power of reconciliation! At that point we can begin to walk together based on the common agreement we have with the authority of our God and King and live no longer divided by the power of what once had us separated.
We are facing challenging times and I feel as though it is only going to grow worse. The citizens of the Kingdom must come together like never before! We don't have to be divided. Even on the most sensitive issues we can agree. Why? Because we have a common denominator! What does the Word of God say? What's God's position on this issue? We as believers must unite under the tenants of the faith. The only thing that will prevent that is if we would rather remain identified with our old nature.
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. -John 17:21Jesus taught that a kingdom divided against itself would not stand (Matthew12:25). It's time for the Body of Christ to lay aside our old nature and start walking in our new nature. Amos 3:3 declares, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" For too long we've stood on opposite sides trying to view our position as the right one and the other wrong. Let's look at the Kingdom as a triangle with our lives separated at the bottom. The further we advance towards the top of the triangle (God), the closer we come together. It's not a matter of us convincing the other to agree with our positions. It's a matter of us all agreeing with God's positions clearly laid out in the Kingdom Mandate of His Word! To usher in the power of agreement all we have to do is to all agree with Him. He is the Common Denominator!
