Bulletin Articles
Vital Starting Points for Unity
All believers should, at the least, accept that Jesus wants His followers to be united together. He prayed “for those who will believe in me through their (the apostles’) word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20-21). Paul wrote that the Lord’s people should seek to “attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...” (Eph 4:13). The church at Corinth was exhorted to agree, “and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Cor 1:10).
Sadly, there is far too much division among believers. These divisions are not all the same, however, as they range from serious differences over vital teachings to matters that are not essential. It is one thing to have differences over the nature of Jesus Christ or salvation itself; it is another to divide over the color of carpet in a building (this can stand for anything of that type). The point is that it is too easy to “line up and divide” if we haven’t even put in the time and effort to unite. Here, though, I want to suggest a few vital starting points for achieving and maintaining unity:
1. Truth is foundational for God’s people. After all, what is it that we are uniting on? As part of Paul’s argument for the Ephesians being united, “speaking the truth” is necessary (Eph 4:15). Again, when Jesus prayed for the unity of His people, starting with the apostles, He indicated the importance truth at the foundation: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth” (John 17:17-19). Even if we differ over what truth is, we still must start with the common ground that we all want truth and are willing to be open to learning it together.
2. Loving one another is paramount. While “speaking the truth” is foundational, readers will notice the next phrase as well: “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…” (Eph 4:15). Truth without love will not create unity. Love without truth will not create the unity desired by God. However, “truth in love” will give us the needed atmosphere for growing up in Christ and uniting in Him. Jesus taught His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
3. Forgiving one another is required for our own salvation. Anytime people work together, the potential for friction will be there. Consequently, we might say or do things that are hurtful, and this can lead to anger, bitterness, and division. Instead, Jesus taught us to forgive: “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25). Paul wrote, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:32). This is necessary even to our own forgiveness from God (cf. also Matt 6:14-15).
4. Bearing with each other is critical. Paul urges disciples to walk in a manner worthy of the calling, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:2-3). To bear with each other means there will be times when our patience might be tested. The temptation would be to shun one another, but we must learn forbearance as part of the love we are to show. Be patient with one another as we grow together.
5. Glorifying God by taking on the Mind of Christ will cement our desire to unite in Him. This, really, is the bottom line. We want to glorify God through taking on the mind of Christ (see Phil 2:1-8). Rather than doing things with selfish ambition, we are to empty ourselves, as Christ did, and put others before us (vv. 3-4). We are not out to glorify ourselves and do our own will. We are here to glorify God and seek His will, take on His way of thinking, humble ourselves, and make it our aim to please Him in all things. Seeking our own will is pride, and pride will divide.
No doubt there is more, but I believe if we start here, we will be on the right track as God’s people in seeking to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. This is the Lord’s desire, and it ought to be ours as well.
