Unity
-- Mark Ryder
The apostle Paul placed great importance on unity within the family of God. To the believers at the church in Ephesus he wrote, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3) Note that phrase, "Make every effort." Unity was to be taken seriously and guarded vigilantly.
This admonition of Paul's, inspired by the Holy Spirit, has never been rescinded. It is binding upon us as 21st century believers. Congregational unity would be a simple matter if every member came from the same background, had similar experiences and shared a common perspective on life issues. However, as we all know, that's simply not the case.
I think it important to acknowledge that unity does not imply, nor does it demand, uniformity. When he wrote to believers in Rome, Paul stated...
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:2-8)
Clearly, the physical body is a unit but not every part is identical. In fact, the body is made up of many individual parts and each one has its distinct function. My body experiences health only to the degree that all the parts are working together harmoniously. So it is in the body of Christ, that is, God's family. It is made up of many individuals, all with the ability to make unique contributions to the health of the whole -- or to fail to make those contributions thus weakening a local body of believers. It is precisely because unity is not uniformity that we must work at maintaining our unity as those committed to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Let me direct you back to the fourth chapter of Ephesians because in the verse immediately preceding Paul's command to, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit," he lists the qualities that we must develop if we are to be successful in staying on the same page. Here's what verse two says, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
There you have it - the required attributes that allow us to maintain our unity in Christ: humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance. An impressive list, to be sure! None of these qualities "come naturally" to us. Rather, they are developed within us by the Holy Spirit as we allow him to conform our character to the character of Christ.
If I want to cultivate unity I must be willing to humble myself and admit that I don't know everything and that my perspectives are limited. I must be gentle in expressing myself lest others be offended and I cause hurt and division. I need to be as patient and forbearing with others as I desire them to be with me as I work my way through matters that require me to change and grow spiritually.
Unity doesn't "just happen." It involves some hard work. However, the benefits of cultivating unity are most positive. Consider two vitally important pluses that flow out of unity among believers.
First of all, unity gives credence to our witness for Christ. Jesus said in John 17:20-23...
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
If the world cannot see evidence of unity among us as believers - and especially if there is conflict among us - they will question the validity of our message that Jesus was sent by God to be the Savior of the world - and rightfully so!
Secondly, unity leads to blessing. Psalm 133 is a song extolling the virtue of unity. In verse three, unity among brethren is likened to the refreshing that the dew brings to the earth. As dew revitalizes the land each morning and aids vegetation in the process of bearing fruit, so unity allows believers to enjoy a pleasant atmosphere as they work together in fulfilling the purposes of God and ministry efforts produce good fruit.
Friends, unity among believers is important but it's not automatic. It requires hard work and we are commanded in God's word to make "every effort" - or, to do what it takes - to preserve our unity. We will have to humble ourselves, be gentle, exercise patient and forbearance, but the end results are worth whatever price might be paid. May God help us as believers to "keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
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