TRUE UNITY
Bill Henry

The ideal of unity wasn’t thought up by some mere human, whether he be poet, politician, or philosopher. Rather, unity is pointed out in Scripture as being at the very heart of God’s eternal purpose for the whole of His creation. Even a casual reading of the New Testament reveals that unity is the Lord’s desire for his followers. In fact, the hallmark of Jesus’ intercessory prayer in John 17 is the plea He makes for unity: “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” (Jn. 17:20f NIV).

In Paul’s view as revealed in Ephesians the unity for which Christ prayed is a present reality in the Body of Christ. As the apostle indicates: “God placed all things under (Christ’s) feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Eph. 1:22f).

Paul goes on to say in Eph. 2:4f: “God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions,” and then in Eph. 2:13: “The Gentiles, who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” He goes on to show that Jews and Gentiles were made “one new man,” thus making peace. So, they were both reconciled in one body through the Cross.

All of this is unity created, not by our own doing, but by the Spirit of God. This is the unity that we are to make every effort to keep in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3).

In saying all this to the church at Ephesus the apostle did not suggest that they devise some formula to bring about unity. He rather urges them “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received,” and this included humility, gentleness, patience, forbearing love, and “to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

This is the only way in which Christians can and do experience unity, and it is a unity of love, rich and diverse. As each of us is more aware of the Spirit’s presence and leading, we shall take the necessary steps to make our unity more open and expressive, and it will become more apparent to the world. We will no longer build walls that separate us. We will all put loyalty to Christ first.

In all this we will respect the convictions of those who differ with us. We will not dive headlong towards a superficial unity based on the lowest common denominator of someone’s opinion. Rather our unity will be based on the highest common denominator, Jesus Christ himself, and a renewed understanding of the Biblical message. This is the true unity which is already ours in the Lord.—Church of Christ. 2329 Liberty St., Trenton. NJ 08629