“The church seems so divided today! Wouldn’t it be a lot easier not to worry about all those other churches and just take care of ourselves?” Probably! “Those people are so different from us!” You’re right. “This unity thing takes so much effort!” I know what you mean! “So, why bother with unity?” Because Scripture give us no other option! Walking in biblical unity with the other members of the Body of Christ in my community may not be easy. In fact, it takes a very deliberate, intentional decision. It takes an investment of time, energy, thought money and comfort. But the investment pays great dividends.
Here are some Scriptural reasons for that commitment.
1. Because it reflects the very nature of God – John 10:30.
Deuteronomy 6:4 became a regular proclamation of the people of God in the Old Testament. "Our God is one!" Paul reaffirms this in 1 Timothy 2:5. "For there is one God..." Jesus includes Himself in the equation in John 10:30. "I and my Father are one." And Paul tells us there is "one Spirit" in Ephesians 4:4. One God, three Persons of the trinity. Since before time began the very nature of God has reflected a "Unity within diversity." Three beings functioning in perfect relational harmony. There never was and never will be any disagreement or division within the Godhead. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit always walk in unity. In fact, all of the universe was in unity until... sin came. When sin came, division became necessary. It is still true today. Division and sin go together. It is either because of sin or it is sinful.
When we experience broken relationships we are experiencing the universe differently from what God intended it to be. When we experience harmonious relationships, we are seeing God's original intention being lived out. Why care about unity in the Body of Christ? Why walk with others who are obviously part of God's family yet worship in a different manner? Because disunity reflects the world as the evil one desires it to be. And because unity reflects God's essential nature. Let's "vote God" on this one!
2. Because it is a specific answer to Jesus’ prayer – John 17:11, 20-21.
You know the excitement of being the answer to someone else's prayer, don't you? Someone cared deeply about a situation and therefore prayed fervently. And God worked it out for you to be the one through whom His answer would come. What a joy to know that you were part of the work of God! Now consider that Jesus prayed for His followers; that they would "be one". In His intense prayer of John 17 this is one of His repeated themes. Please catch this. This is not simply that "someone" cared enough about this to pray. It is that Jesus Himself has prayed! And we are the ones who get to be part of the answer to that prayer! Why would we let anything get in our way if we knew that we could be part of the answer to Jesus' prayer? Should our own history get in the way? Should our preferred "style"? What about our denominational allegiances? What about nonessential doctrinal issues? Or the reputation we have sought to build? Should these things stop us from doing all we can to see Jesus' prayer for unity be answered? If being the answer to "someone's" prayer, is exciting, how much more joy and excitement is ours as we are part of the answer to the Savior's prayer!
3. Because it embodies the essence of the gospel: reconciliation - 2 Cor 5:15-21.
"And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation." You may recognize this verse from that classic 2 Corinthians 5 passage on the topic of reconciliation. God reconciled us! He has brought us back into a relationship with Himself! But, as soon as we receive that reconciliation, He asks that we not simply enjoy it, but also employ it. He tells us that we are His ambassadors, who are to enter into that reconciliation process with Him. He has given us the ministry, and the message, of reconciliation. This ministry and message have both a vertical and horizontal dimension to them. They are primarily for those outside of God's family who need to be reconciled to Him (vertical reconciliation). But they also relate to many who are inside God's family who need to be reconciled to one another (horizontal reconciliation)!
Whenever we encourage and serve the process of reconciliation, we are demonstrating the power of the gospel. God has in mind the kind of relationship He wants us to have with one another. Whenever brothers and sisters come back into that God-defined kind of relationship with one another, we are seeing the power of the gospel. In many different settings from restaurants to prayer summits God has given us hundreds of opportunities to see this kind of reconciliation take place. And each time it happens, we rejoice, because God does!
4. Because geography is the only point of division Scripture allows in His Church – 1 Cor 1:10.
If you have a misunderstanding about my bride, I want to correct you. She is important to me, so it matters that you have an accurate understanding of her. You might feel the same way about your own spouse. How much more does Jesus desire that we have an accurate understanding of His bride! I believe we use the word "church" in ways that make Jesus raise His eyebrows! We talk about buildings as churches, denominations as churches or we say there are 15 (or 150 or 1500) churches in our city. We even make up terms like "parachurch." Each of these usages betrays the fact that we think His Church is something different than He does. We view it differently than He does. We have mentally divided (and therefore practically divided) His Church into pieces that He hasn't. As we read Scripture, it becomes very clear that Jesus' perspective of the boundaries of His Church is based around geography. Typically, our perspective isn't. Paul speaks of the Church of cities or regions (large or small). But he doesn't speak of anything like First Baptist Church, or Charismatic churches or The Methodist Church. Those are boundaries we have come up with. His plea is clear in 1 Corinthians 1:10. "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."
In fact, when Paul heard of a group gathering around personality (such as 1 Corinthians 3:1-4) or giftedness, (such as 1 Corinthians 12:14-21) he slapped them on their spiritual wrists and told them to stop it! I believe one of the most exciting (and far reaching) things Jesus is doing in His Church today is bringing us back to a geographic understanding of His Church. In no way do I think Jesus is against denominations or that we should somehow try to merge all the congregations in an area! But I do believe Jesus wants us to view His bride more the way He does. And as we do, we will see ourselves being more open to significant interaction with other true parts of the Body of Christ. Why is it valuable to be committed to walk with all the other brothers and sisters in a geographic area? Because that is what Jesus is committed to.
5. Because it is God’s will – Eph 4:3, 1 Cor 1:10.
Right from the Damascus road, one of Saul's desires was to know what the Lord wanted him to do (Acts 22:10). In fact, one of the most common questions pastors receive is something related to, "How do I know God's will?" I believe this question is one of the earliest evidences that we really are submitted to the Lord. One of the clearest answers to that question involves what God says in His Word. When He gives us a commandment, we don't need to wonder about His will.
That is why when it comes to walking in unity with the other members in the body of Christ, we don't have to wonder what God's will is. We are not only encouraged to walk in unity, we are told to. It is part of the "worthy walk" commanded in Ephesians 4:1-3. There we are told that walking worthy of our calling includes humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love and making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. So if we want to do God's will, we will maintain that unity in His Body which the Spirit of God has established. In this Ephesians passage it is not up to us to establish or make the unity; Jesus has already done that. Our part is to maintain or keep the unity. This is one time when are supposed to be in a "maintenance mode." We are supposed to do the 30,000 mile maintenance, the annual maintenance, and even the daily maintenance. Why are we committed to walking with the other members of His body? Very simply, because it is His will.
6. Because we need it to survive – Ecc 4:9-12.
The National Broadcasting Network has increased our national interest in surviving. The "real life" show "Survivor" has given us new household names and pulled in great ratings. But no matter how much they bill this show as "real life" it just isn't! I know a bit about real life survival. I have not only been in the spiritual trenches of ministry but I have also spent time with many others who have been in those trenches. Most have survived but, frankly, some haven't. Vocational ministry is not easy. Don't go there unless God tells you that you have no other options. It is too dangerous. There will be times when someone is simply overpowered. There will be times when someone needs to be defended. Ecc 4:12 (vs. 9-12 are worth reading) tells us that these are the times when supportive relationships are not optional! "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." "Survival time" is not the time to try to build supportive relationships. These are the times when we need to cash in on the investment of our previously established relationships. Contrary to what "real life" TV would like us to believe, our survival is not about us winning over others. It is about us winning with others. Why is it necessary to walk with the other believers in our communities? Because we need one another to survive.
7. Because we need it to function as the Body of Christ – 1 Cor 12:12-26.
Not only do we need each other to survive, but we need each other to function the way Jesus wants His Body to function. When did it become okay for us to say, “they don’t need me,” (see 1 Cor 12:14-20) or “I don’t need them,” (see 1 Cor 12:21-26)? Scripture says we can’t go there! This kind of thinking goes directly opposed to the essence of the “Body” imagery. Just as my mouth needs my hand when it is thirsty, so also the “Ezra-types” need the “Nehemiah-types.” And the “Expressives” need the “Reflectives,” etc.
There are two aspects to this thought. Stated in the negative, one speaks to what we are not to say about ourselves and the other speaks to what we are not to say about others. Paul knew that we all have a tendency to think that if we are different from others, we must not be as good as others. So he addresses this tendency. His point is that there must be diversity in the body or it is not only absurd (“if the whole body were an ear!” v. 17) it is completely ineffective. Because I am different from other parts of the body makes me functionally more valuable to the body, not less valuable. I can do things that others cannot. I am needed. There is “many parts” (1 Cor 12:14).
At the same time, the opposite is true. Paul also knew that we all have a tendency to think that if someone is different from me, they must not be as good as me. So, he states very clearly that all the parts of the body need each other, (see 1 Cor 12:21). I cannot say “because you are different than I am, I don’t need you.” I must say “I need you.” There is “one body” (1 Cor 12:20).
Flowing out of this realization of our functional need for one another comes a wonderful relational requirement. All members of His body “should have equal concern for each other” (v. 25).
If we are going to function as His body is designed to function, it will be because we know that we are needed and that we have need.
8. Because Jesus deserves it – Eph 5:25-27, Rev 19:7 (Note both “church” and “bride” are singular.)
His church is His bride. A friend of mine has said, “Jesus is not a bigamist. He is not going to return for a harem, He is going to return for a bride.” It’s true. From the Bridegroom’s perspective, there is only one church. Since we will be unified then, doesn’t it seem like Jesus deserves a unified bride now? Since Jesus died to have the dividing wall be removed, (Eph 2:14-17) doesn’t it seem like He deserves to have us live as though it is removed? Since He prayed that we would be one, (John 17:11, 20-23) doesn’t it seem that He deserves an answer to that prayer? Since there is only one Lord (Eph 4:5) doesn’t it seem that He deserves a united team of servants?
Revelation 19:7 says that the bride has made herself ready. Isn’t part of the readying process (that will be completed then) to be taking place now? Apart from the many functional benefits of His church being unified, isn’t the fact that He deserves a unified church enough, in and of itself? Why be united? Because He deserves it!
9. Because God blesses those who do – Ps 133.
Many are familiar with this wonderful Psalm and the promise of blessing contained in it. Read it once again. Ps. 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”
Three brief comments about this Psalm. 1) Unity produces anointing. The oil upon Aaron was that which symbolized the presence and activity of the Spirit of God. There is an anointing of His Spirit that runs down upon us when we walk in unity. 2) Unity produces provision. The dew upon Mt. Hermon was part of what made the land fertile and productive. There is a special provision that God give to His church when it walks together in unity. 3) Unity is to flow from the top down. Both the oil and the dew naturally flowed downward. There is a responsibility upon leaders today to both catch the flow and to not hinder the flow of this unity.
Oh, it is good when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity!
10. Because it is essential for our maturity – 1 Cor 3:1-4, Col 2:1-3.
We are quite familiar with the promise of blessing in Ps 133 directed at those who will “dwell together in unity”. (See number 9 above.) But there is another wonderful blessing that we are not as familiar with. In the very straightforward passage of 1 Cor 3:1-4, Paul uses some rather strong words for those who are saying “I follow Paul” or “I follow Apollis”. He refers to them as “not spiritual”, “worldly – mere infants in Christ,” who need “milk, not solid food”. Here Paul links our level of maturity (or actually our level of immaturity) with our level of unity. He says there is “solid food,” food that will help us grow up in Christ, that is available to those who walk in unity.
In a more mild, but just as serious passage, (Col 2:1-3), Paul says he is struggling to see the Colossians “united in love”. Then he gives his reason for this struggle. It is “so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.” Paul says we can’t know all of Christ unless we are united in love to the other members of His body! Jesus has not revealed all of Himself to any one group. He has arranged it so that if we are going to know more of Him, we will need to know more of one another. Our own maturity, our ability to know more of Jesus Christ, is tied to our commitment to walk in unity.
11. Because it is God’s method of effective evangelism – John 17:22-24.
When we think of evangelism, things that often come to mind are tracts, programs, books, concerts, preaching, altar calls and TV programs. But when God thinks about evangelism, He thinks of relationships. He thinks about things like a loving community, unity in His family and peace demonstrated to those who are watching. Though there is a very valid place for the former list, we must not forget the later list!
The wonderful and familiar prayer of Jesus in John 17 emphasizes two results of our unity. The first is the most spoken about. When we walk in unity, Jesus says that the world will know that He was sent by the Father (v. 21, 23). The second result is that they will know that the Father loves them (v. 23). Not only will a united church validate the origin of Jesus’ trip to earth, it will also demonstrate the reason for it. Evidently, the ways it works is something like this. The world can’t or doesn’t see God so they don’t know of His love for them. But when the world sees His people in action, His body, walking in unity with one another, loving one another, they begin to see that divine love is a real possibility. When they see people loving people, they know that it is possible that God could love them. And when people become aware of God’s love, it draws them right into His arms!
12. Because it is what Jesus is doing today - (Matt 11:15)
At least 14 times in the New Testament, Jesus is quoted as saying “he who has ears to hear, let him hear…” The Lord of the church wants His church to keep current with Him. His message is changeless, but it is not static. There are times when He emphasizes a specific truth for a period of time. The reformation truths, the missionary thrust, the emphasis on worship, etc. are some of the many examples of this. One of the truths He is emphasizing today is the value of the unity of His body. This is a theme that has sprung up in many different places through many different voices. In fact, there seems to be, as one man has said, a “reformation of relationships” that is taking place in His church. In 1990, it was rather rare for there to be a cross-denominational pastors’ prayer group in a city. By the year 2000, it was rare not to find one in a city. The same could be said for city-wide gatherings of worship and/or prayer. The National Day of Prayer, the March for Jesus (Jesus’ Day), the Promise Keepers events, the Pastor’s Prayer Summits, have all been used by God to help develop this sense of unity.
As Dr. Joe Aldrich has said, “Find out how life works and get on the good side of it.”
When Jesus speaks to His church by His Spirit about being united, it is not only right but also good for His body to hear and respond.
13. Because it is consistent with reality. The truth is that we are really united - (Eph 4:4).
A definition of insanity I heard a long time ago is “consciously acting inconsistently with reality.” I have to confess that this definition haunts me every now and then! If I ignore the way things really are just because I don’t want them to be that way, and act as though they are not the way they actually are, I need to find out which mental state I am in. It is very clear that Scripture tell us the way things really are. One of the “main and plain” things of Scripture is that there is only “One body” (Eph 4:4). Corresponding to this is the geographic boundaries (rather than personality, gifting, etc. divisions) of His church. When we act as though there are divisions in the body that are not actually there, or when we act as though the body of Christ is not actually “one”, we are acting inconsistently with reality. We must not let our history or the way things look get in our way at this point. If we don’t recognize that those true believers in the church across the street (or around the corner) are really part of us, we are not acting consistently with the unity that Jesus has already established. Acting consistently with the way things really are is always more productive (and less suspicious!) than acting inconsistently with them. Why be intentional and deliberate at walking with other parts of the body of Christ? Because, in reality, we are already one with them.
14. And because it so frustrates and annoys Satan!
Remember Colossians 2:15? This is the passage that speaks about Jesus making a “public spectacle” of His enemies at His crucifixion. What a cool thing! I love it when the evil one gets frustrated or embarrassed! Because of his track record, it is very clear that Satan likes to break and divide things. He did it in Heaven, in the garden, with Israel, with the New Testament church and throughout it’s history. When things that are supposed to be united are divided, Satan is not far away (John 10:10). One of the reasons I am committed to walk together with all the other true believers in my city is because when I do I join together with Jesus and “destroy (more of) the devil’s work! (1 John 3:8).” Before I was in His family, I had no capacity to help the devil’s work be destroyed. In eternity, he will be well taken care of! It is only during this part of my life that I can join with Jesus in this process! Why work for unity? Why walk with all of God’s family? Because I want to take every opportunity I can to see the evil one be frustrated, annoyed and defeated!
An easy task? A smooth process? No. Calling His true body to true unity is not easy and it is often a slow process. But it pays great dividends! Let us continue to press forward.
Dennis Fuqua
Executive Director, International Renewal Ministries, Portland, Oregon
