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It seems as though, to a greater degree in our current day, that there is a tsunami force of issues, events, and circumstances all working together toward one cataclysmic conclusion—disunity. Whether it be politics, skin color, socio-economic status, fear of a disease, or disgust over what one believes to be false reports of a pandemic, everyone seems to have a differing opinion regarding the myriad of issues related to these matters. Any one of these matters can cause division. Yet, working together, they have seemingly set us on a course for personal and national disaster. Even in the church (perhaps especially in the church), we are struggling to be unified over these matters. We have been charged with the single most important mission in human history. We are to hold up and hold out the very truth of God, the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the only hope for a world that is perishing. Yet, how very insidious indeed is the enemy. If God’s people become divided on any matter so that we are unwilling to love and serve together, then the mission will go unaccomplished. If we destroy one another with friendly fire, then the battle for souls for which we should be engaged is lost.
We will only be surprised at such a fight for unity among us if we are neglecting God’s Word. Jesus informs us, “The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). In many ways, the record of Scripture is an account of the seemingly endless struggle for accord among God’s people. The first child ever born on the earth (Cain) would grow up in such conflict with his own brother that he would slay him. The sound of victory over the defeat of the Egyptians was still ringing in the ears of those who would oppose Moses’ leadership. The unified kingdom of Israel would last through the lifespans of only two kings. The Southern and Northern kingdoms would remain in fierce conflict through most of their history. The struggle for accord continues in the New Testament. The men who knew Jesus best, even in His most intimate moment with them as they shared in the last meal before His crucifixion, found themselves again arguing with one another over which of them was the greatest. Following the resurrection of Christ, the early church was in existence for just a few short months before major schisms threatened their fellowship. Throughout the remainder of the New Testament, one epistle after another is written to congregations of various settings who are battling disunity.
On the very night upon which He would be betrayed, Jesus prayed for His disciples and for those who would eventually follow Him. It is important to note that for all of the many needs that they would inevitably have in this evil world (and even as His own disciples would experience severe persecution), the matter for which Jesus spent His greatest focus was upon their unity. In John 17, on four different occasions in this short prayer (v. 11, 21-23), Jesus prayed that His followers would be unified. Since it was such a matter of great importance for Jesus, and since we are now facing such great challenges to unity in so many spheres, let us consider how Scripture attests that the church can and must strive for harmony.
A relevant passage which provides insight into this matter is found in Ephesians 2:14-22.
For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Take note of Paul’s instruction in this matter of church unity:
1. Unity is possible only to those in Christ.
Paul makes something very clear for which our culture continues to confuse. Since Jesus “himself is our peace”, no peace can be found apart from Christ. Politicians may promise legislation to end bigotry, and various groups may protest for an end to perceived divisions, but only Christ can deliver these. As long as enmity exists between God and a sinner, that sinner will never live in harmony with others. While God’s people are called to stand against unrighteousness, unity will only come through the gospel. So, even among the religious, unity will continue to elude those who have never been born again. Getting right with God through the gospel is the first and most important step toward getting right with one another.
2. What unites believers is greater than anything that divides.
Paul make quite explicit all that Christ accomplished through His death and resurrection on behalf of our unity. While we may disagree on any number of matters (which is natural because of God’s unique giftedness and design upon each one), we can always come together under the banner of Christ’s love and Christ’s call. Since “through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father”, there is no disagreement which can possibly break our bonds as we seek Christ together. Even in the midst of such great forces for division in our culture, nothing is greater than what Christ has given us.
3. Unity is a fight.
Paul compares the church to a building project. While not a physical structure, rather God’s people comprise an organic structure for which we must strive to build. A building project has any number of forces working against its completion. Elements, gravity, resources, etc. fight against successful construction. Even so, in the face of the challenges toward unity against which our own church struggles, we must each seek Christ and commit ourselves to the unity for which He has already promised. Don’t fall to the fallacy that unity comes naturally. We must confess. We must forgive. We must choose to love and serve. We must fight for it—again and again.
So, even amidst all that is seemingly working to pull us apart, let us strive together in unity. For, as the psalmist would declare, “Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together…For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore” (Psalm 133:1, 3).