Until Unity

1. Unity is the Trinity's desire and our ultimate purpose

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Divine unity as our model. The Trinity exemplifies perfect unity, and we are created in God's image to reflect this oneness. Jesus' prayer in John 17 reveals God's deep desire for His followers to be united, not just with each other, but with the Godhead itself. This unity is meant to be so profound that it becomes a powerful witness to the world.

Our ultimate purpose. Unity is not just a nice-to-have; it's the very reason for our creation and redemption. We are called to participate in the divine nature, becoming "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). This unity goes beyond mere agreement or tolerance – it's a supernatural oneness that reflects the love and harmony within the Trinity.

• Unity as witness: When believers are truly united, it demonstrates the reality of God's love to the world
• Unity as worship: Our oneness glorifies God by reflecting His nature
• Unity as fulfillment: We find our true purpose and joy in this divine communion

2. Disunity damages our witness and grieves the Holy Spirit

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Weakened witness. The church's divisions severely undermine our ability to reach the world for Christ. When unbelievers see Christians constantly fighting and splitting over various issues, it becomes a stumbling block to faith. Our lack of unity directly contradicts Jesus' prayer and desire for His followers.

Grieving the Spirit. Disunity doesn't just affect our outward witness; it causes deep sorrow to the Holy Spirit who dwells within believers. The Spirit's work is to unite us in Christ, and our divisions actively resist His purpose. This grief should motivate us to pursue reconciliation and unity with urgency.

Examples of damaging disunity:

• Denominational infighting
• Public criticism of other believers
• Unwillingness to fellowship across theological lines
  Consequences of disunity:
• Loss of credibility with unbelievers
• Hindered spiritual growth within the church
• Quenching of the Spirit's work among us

3. True maturity leads to unity, not just knowledge

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Beyond information. Many Christians mistakenly equate spiritual maturity with theological knowledge. While understanding doctrine is important, true maturity is evidenced by our ability to love and unite with other believers, even those with whom we disagree on secondary issues.

Christ-like character. Maturity in Christ is marked by the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These qualities naturally promote unity and harmony within the Body of Christ. As we grow in these areas, we become better equipped to maintain unity in the midst of diversity.

Signs of true spiritual maturity:

• Ability to disagree respectfully
• Willingness to learn from those with different perspectives
• Prioritizing relationships over being "right"
  Dangers of knowledge without love:
• Pride and arrogance
• Divisive spirit
• Inability to work with others for the Kingdom

4. Love is the foundation of unity, transcending differences

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Love as the key. Unity is not achieved through uniformity of thought or practice, but through sacrificial love for one another. This love, modeled by Christ, enables us to maintain fellowship even when we disagree. It's a supernatural love that goes beyond natural affinity or agreement.

Covering sins. Love doesn't ignore wrongdoing, but it does create an atmosphere of grace where repentance and reconciliation can flourish. When we truly love our fellow believers, we're less likely to let minor differences divide us and more likely to extend forgiveness and understanding.

Practical ways to cultivate love:

• Pray for those you disagree with
• Seek to understand others' perspectives
• Look for common ground in Christ
  Areas where love should prevail:
• Theological disagreements on non-essential issues
• Cultural and stylistic preferences in worship
• Political differences among believers

5. Repentance and humility are essential for unity

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Acknowledging our faults. Unity begins with personal repentance. We must be willing to examine our own hearts, attitudes, and actions that may contribute to disunity. This requires humility to admit when we've been wrong or unloving towards others in the Body of Christ.

Humility in disagreement. Even when we believe we're right on an issue, humility reminds us that we "see in a mirror dimly" (1 Corinthians 13:12). This perspective allows us to hold our convictions firmly while still maintaining unity with those who differ. Humility also opens us to the possibility that we may need to learn or grow in our understanding.

Steps toward repentance and humility:

• Regular self-examination in light of Scripture
• Seeking feedback from mature believers
• Apologizing when we've contributed to disunity
  Benefits of a repentant, humble spirit:
• Increased openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance
• Greater ability to maintain relationships across differences
• Modeling Christ-like character to the world

6. Unity requires fighting against division and for diversity

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Active pursuit of unity. Unity doesn't happen by accident; it requires intentional effort to combat divisive forces both within and outside the church. This means actively working to bridge gaps, resolve conflicts, and build relationships across various lines of division.

Embracing diversity. True unity celebrates the diversity within the Body of Christ. We must learn to value and leverage our differences in background, culture, gifts, and perspectives for the Kingdom's sake. This diversity, when unified in Christ, becomes a powerful testimony to the world.

Strategies for fighting division:

• Addressing conflicts quickly and biblically
• Resisting gossip and slander within the church
• Seeking reconciliation when relationships are strained
  Ways to promote diversity:
• Intentional inclusion of different voices in leadership
• Cross-cultural partnerships and learning opportunities
• Celebrating the unique contributions of various traditions

7. Start small: Pursue unity in your personal life first

For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?

Personal foundations. The pursuit of church-wide unity must begin with individuals cultivating unity in their personal lives. This starts with our relationship with God, extends to our families, and then outward to our immediate church community. We cannot effectively promote unity on a larger scale if we're not practicing it in our closest relationships.

Spheres of influence. Focus on building unity within your immediate circle of influence before tackling broader issues. This might mean working on your marriage, fostering unity within your small group or ministry team, or reaching out to reconcile with a fellow believer you've been avoiding.

Areas to prioritize:

• Personal devotion and unity with God
• Unity in marriage and family relationships
• Reconciliation with individuals in your local church
  Practical steps:
• Regular times of prayer and Scripture meditation
• Intentional communication and conflict resolution in close relationships
• Active participation in your local church community

8. Beware of selfish ambition masquerading as Kingdom work

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Hidden motivations. Even in pursuing unity and other good causes, we must be vigilant against selfish ambition creeping into our hearts. Our desire for recognition, influence, or to be "right" can subtly undermine genuine Kingdom work and create further division.

Pure motives. Examine your heart regularly to ensure your efforts toward unity and church growth are truly motivated by love for God and others, not personal gain or recognition. Be willing to serve in hidden ways and to celebrate the successes of others in building unity.

Warning signs of selfish ambition:

• Feeling threatened by others' successes in ministry
• Unwillingness to collaborate or share credit
• Prioritizing personal platform over Kingdom impact
  Cultivating pure motives:
• Regular times of self-examination and repentance
• Accountability relationships with mature believers
• Practicing contentment and gratitude for God's work through others

Last updated: November 12, 2024