As the following Scriptures and quotes attest, Christian unity is a fundamental pillar of a healthy church. Achieving unity can be very challenging. So challenging in fact, that unity among Christians is the greatest proof that Jesus was divine according to John 17:21,23. Christian unity is also impossible to attain on a purely human basis. Accordingly, the process of pursuing godly unity can bring a necessary refining and perfecting to the church—lessons are learned about patience, deference to others, submission, etc. in seeking unity that might not be learned otherwise! There are numerous indications that God holds Christian unity in such high esteem that He cannot and will not bless a church that is in disunity. The indwelling presence of Jesus is also unavailable to those who hold grudges and stubbornly remain in disunity with other believers. That does not mean that God abandons the church when there is disunity, but it certainly limits His ability to bless His people.
Recognizing the need for godly unity, pursuing unity, and maintaining the unity that God can bless, is no easy matter. But, regardless of the challenges and the delays incurred in pursuing Christian unity, we need to do all we can to bring about the unity that God requires. This quest will sometimes mean a lot of dying to self. It will sometimes mean eating humble pie. It will sometimes mean waiting patiently for God to convict and bring to unity what may seem like discordant elements, for true Christian unity, though necessary, cannot be successfully imposed upon others. What we refuse to learn the first time around, God will bring around again. In all of this Satan is quietly working behind the scenes, for disunity separates us from God, hinders God's ability to use us, and greatly advances Satan's agenda.
Jesus spoke of Christian unity using the figure of the body. Our body is made of many diverse parts. They are composed differently. They function differently. But they are in complete unity. Just as there are no "independent elements in a healthy body, so there should be no "independent elements in a church that is in godly unity. The amazing harmony among the members of the physical body come as a result of their careful "obedience" to the brain and other control centers of the body. In the same way, the perfect harmony needed in the church will come when everyone in the church has a single-minded purpose to know and do God's will, where there is godly submission to those in rightful authority, and will include a similar overarching desire to be in harmony and good relationship with others. Disunity, on the other hand, is a significant red flag that God may not be present!
I am aware there are strong feelings on this subject. I am aware that a mutual impatient annoyance is sometimes felt for the time and emotions invested on the subject of Christian unity these days. This has been historically true—admonishments for coming into unity were written for leaders in Europe in the early days of mission efforts there. And what is called Christian unity these days, depending on the perspective, may seem like disunity. But regardless of what we feel, regardless of history, regardless of personal or institutional baggage on the subject, we need to see things from God's perspective and seek His unity-bringing solutions.
Sadly, it would seem that God's work is being delayed. But delay is not new and has too often been a factor in slowing down advances in God's Kingdom. For example, it was never God's purpose to delay the entry of His people into the promise land for so many years. But the people were not accepting God's mandates, they were resisting God's leadership through Moses, and therefore they were turned back into the wilderness. God in mercy did not abandon His people in the wilderness. In fact, He blessed them. For forty years, they experienced daily miracles of manna and water. Their shoes never wore out either. But they were experiencing "wilderness blessings," not "promise land" blessings, and were certainly not doing the work that God had intended for them to accomplish in the land of Canaan as His special people. Their prayers and efforts were mainly about personal survival, and there were few conquests.
It would seem the church is experiencing "wilderness blessings" today, more than "promise land" blessings! Looking at the grander scheme of things—natural, economic, societal disasters and other challenges, it would seem that much of what we are doing right now is, personal, too often self-centered, and less relevant, considering the great needs all around us. Can we honestly say that we are accomplishing God's will, making a great difference for others with the light we have been given, and becoming the united "other worldly" entity that proves that Jesus was divine, and which God can bless with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit? Would it not be good to seek that?
It goes without saying, this is a very important subject. We are blessed to have a wealth of instruction on this subject, some of which is minimally known. Perhaps if we followed the instruction, we might overcome the Christian unity deficit!
Accordingly, in this section of discipleheart we try to address some of the challenges. It will be a work in progress. Explore to find answers to questions, audio and written resources and instructive and inspiring illustrations.
Remember that underlined text clicked upon will bring you to a page where the thought or question is dealt with in a greater way.
I hope the information provided proves helpful. Please write if you have questions.—Dan