What Does the Bible Teach about Christian Unity?

My brother Phenuel from Kenya asked this question yesterday, “What does the Bible say about Christian unity?” Brother I am excited to share my thoughts on this topic. I have a couple of other questions to which I owe you responses. I will try to get to them today also. Here are my thoughts on the topic of Christian unity because you asked for it.

 

The question of unity is an important one with which to wrestle, especially at this time in the history of our world. Our world is anything but united. There are many things which separate us today. Distance, politics, race and religion immediately come to mind, but issues like gender or marriage, which used to be fairly simple and defined, are now complex and complicated. The Associated Press has a series of articles on their website about “Divided America,” examining over ten issues that splinter our society.

 

Before the official beginning of the church on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), Jesus prayed the disciples would be united (John 17:23). In His impassioned petition, Jesus held up the example of the unity that exists between the Father, Son and Spirit for the faithful to follow.

 

The church has not been stellar in fulfilling this prayer. The 14^th edition ofThe Handbook of Denominations in the United States, published in 2018 has long been considered the gold standard for reference books about religious bodies in America. The work lists over 200 distinct Christian denominations in the United States alone. The website quora.com indicates a more realistic number is about 34,000.

United But Different

 

The Bible study class I teach on Sunday mornings has about 25 people who regularly attend. Some of these folk I have worshiped and studied with for over 20 years. They have become close family to me. We have rejoiced together at the birth of children and grandchildren. We have wept together at the illnesses and deaths of loved ones. If there are people within the body of Christ with whom I feel united, it is these people.

But we differ on so many things. Personal interests and characteristics aside, none of us agree completely upon questions of how the Lord will return. We have different practices and philosophies about giving to the church. We do not completely agree in theological issues like justification and sanctification. There are ways in which we do not see “eye-to-eye.”

But if I stroll out of the parking lot of the building where I attend church worship, I can walk to another church building, housing a church from a different denomination. While I would be warmly greeted as I walked in the door, our differences of opinion on the interpretation of some Bible verses, of the manner and means of worship, and even how often we remember the Lord’s Supper through communion would become apparent.

I can continue walking and find another church building where the differences would vary once again. It is difficult to “feel” united among so many differences. In addition, we live in a culture that doesn’t disagree well. Instead of arguing and yelling as some choose to express their differences, Christians just stay apart, hoping to keep fighting to a minimum.

All of this occurs within less than a mile from our church building. I feel semi-united inside the building and less united as I wander outside its gates.

But I feel as if I have nothing in common with the President of the United States who professes to be a devout Roman Catholic. He attends mass on Sundays more regularly than perhaps any other president in my lifetime. But his understanding of biblical truths and his application of those truths to his decisions are often the exact opposite of the conclusions and decisions that I would make. How is it possible to feel united when there are such striking differences?

The Biblical Image of Unity

Paul provides an image of unity to the Corinthian Christians when he describes the church as a body (1 Corinthians 12:12). The body contains one difference after another within its members. The toe is not anything like the liver. But they are all united by the head which motivates and controls its thoughts, actions and behaviors.

Unity doesn’t come from agreeing on every doctrine, but upon obedience and faithfulness to Jesus. If you and I share the same Lord, we unite as we both bow and serve. We are united as we obey His commands. What are those commands? Jesus starts by speaking of loving God with all our heart, soul and strength as we love others like ourselves.

Paul emphasizes the importance of love when he writes to the Colossians. “And over all of these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:14).  There is no other way to keep harmony and stay on task as a believer than by demonstrating the love of Christ to others.

The Psalmist captures our thoughts well. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity” (Psalm 133:3)! He goes on to say “it is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Unity opens the door for God’s blessings.

They Will Know

The little camp chorus recited, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

Is unity important? What impression would a united church have upon its community and its culture? How would that unity affect my relationships within my family and in my business? Are there spiritual forces at work trying to destroy that unity? Is it in Satan’s best interest for the church to be splintered and separate?

Deep down, we know the answers to all those questions, don’t we?

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have love me” (John 17:15, 22-23 NIV).

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV).

Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly .