The Foundation and Purpose of Unity in Christ

The unity that the Lord desires is not about agreeing on everything. Our Lord created diversity, and the Church is where unity thrives in God-created and God-appointed diversity. The unity among believers is based on being different parts of Christ’s body with differing functions, gifts and abilities. We must be aware of the presence of the Head, Christ Jesus the Lord; He who is over all things.

He is Lord over (1) the universe and the world; (2) all rule and authority; (3) the Church; (4) our families and relationships; and (5) over our minds (opinions), emotions, affections and dreams.

The question is, do we joyfully submit to His Lordship now (even imperfectly) like those believers who have gone before us, or will we wait for the day when those who deny His Sovereignty will bow resentfully in hopelessness?

It is written:

• “And being found in appearance as a man, He [that is Jesus the Christ] humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:8-11)
• “… He [that is God] worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:20-23)

Christ’s body is to be obedient to Christ’s mind; therefore, we need to share the same love and purpose of Christ in Christ!

Christian Unity has the Foundation of Christ’s Love…	Christian Unity has Christ’s Purpose…
… that (1) prioritizes love, obedience and fellowship with Christ; and (2) has an unselfish concern for others, seeks the best for them and then does what is required to better them.	… that God would have a people who love and obey their God in His Kingdom throughout a restored universe.
Online link to read the passages below Matthew 22:37-39 John 3:16 John 13:34-35 John 14:15 Romans 5:5, 8 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Galatians 5:22 1 John 5:3	Online link to read the passages below Genesis 1:27-28 Jeremiah 29:11 Matthew 28:19-20 John 6:38 Acts 1:8 2 Corinthians 4:18 2 Corinthians 6:16 Colossians 3:23-24 Hebrews 8:10 Revelation 21:3, 7

You might say, at the conceptual level, you agree with the Biblical text. If you are a believer, you must agree with what the Word of God says concerning retaining Christ’s love and purpose.

But how on earth does one live this out in practical terms?

• First, we must be led by the Holy Spirit and in His power to accomplish this Godly unity. But also important is our responsibility to yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading (to do what He has said in His Word and by the impressions He gives you, which never disagree).  The Holy Spirit is in unity with the Father and Son, so all impressions He gives align with Scripture since He inspired it.
• Then, we must agree on the core essentials of the Christian faith and give grace for differing secondary doctrines or interpretations of them.
• Finally, we must ensure we are not worshipping a false Christ. God has given us the Word of God so that we KNOW who Christ is. Avoid any doctrine that preaches a different gospel. It is so important to know what the Bible says and to check every teaching against it!

When Paul wrote the Galatian church, he said:

• “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-8)

Unity on Core Essentials of Christian Faith	Grace for the Interpretation of Secondary Doctrines
(1) The deity of Christ (John 1:1–14) (2) The resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–8) (3) Salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9) (4) The authority of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16)	(1) Spiritual Gifts (cessation or continuation) (2) Timing of end-time events (pre-millennial, a-millennial, post-millennial) (3) Church government (elder-led vs. congregational, etc.) (4) Styles of worship (hymns vs. contemporary music)

Paul taught that when disagreements arise, believers are to pursue personal humility and unite on the gospel of Jesus Christ to further the Kingdom of God. Failing to do so may initially be out of ignorance. Still, if it continues, at the heart of things, there is pride, rebellion, depreciation of someone’s character and disobedience to God’s Word (Philippians 2:3–4). This means the fighting, low opinions, jealousy, entitlement and disharmony must stop if Christ’s Spirit lives in you.

Christ’s love preached the good news that God’s Kingdom was available to anyone who would repent from their sin (turn away from evil) and follow the teachings of Christ. Jesus said,

• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:16-21)
• “… The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)
• “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)

There is a type of belief that does not save. It is written:

• “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble!” (James 2:19)

But the demons do not turn from their wicked ways. The faith that saves affects the believer’s life in a way that results in a transformed life that desires to fulfill the will of the Lord. Jesus addressed the religious who had a form of belief in God that was not saving them. He said:

“…Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'” (Mark 7:6-7)

There is no use fighting among believers over the light God has given them and their ability to digest it.

• “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)

This passage goes on to explain that we ought to have the mind of Christ. Christ humbled Himself to seek and save the lost. (Please read Philippians 2:1-11). This can be very challenging because even regenerated believers can have agendas (that may or may not align with God’s will for the individual). Sometimes, redeemed humans can use worldly tools like coercion and manipulation, thinking they are merely being persuasive. We are all flawed, but by the grace of God, we will be completely sanctified one day.

Again, be led by the Holy Spirit through prayer and the Word.

Being unified in Christ does not mean you will always agree, but when you do not, your love for Christ and others should be known. In whatever you do, or do not do, do all for the glory of God, recognizing where your siblings in Christ are in their walk of sanctification and freedom.

As it is written:

• “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)

As Jesus said,

• “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:5-9)

Jesus called Himself meek (KJV) or gentle (NKJV), and given that He is the all-powerful Creator, we can see that meekness/gentleness is strength under self-control. Strength and restraint are attributes of God and are imparted by the Holy Spirit.

Since the Lord who created diversity within the universal church with each member of the body of Christ functioning in Spirit-imparted gifts and abilities, let us have reverence for each other.

This may be a good time to study Romans 14 on the law of liberty and love.

If you seek the truth (as well as belonging and unconditional love), you will find it in Christ Jesus. God creates our souls and offers each person the choice to know Him, revealing Himself through creation, the Holy Scriptures, people, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. In Christ, you will find your true place and become part of His body. If you sense a tugging in your heart, it may be the Holy Spirit inviting you to see Christ as Saviour and Lord. With your own words, simply confess you truly believe Jesus Christ is God’s Son and Lord of all created things.  Ask Him to increase your faith in the knowledge of Him and to give you freedom from sin that He offers.

Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. … This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.“(John 6:37, 39-40)

All Scripture in this blog is from the New King James Version unless otherwise specified.