We began from One to be saved by One, to unify as one in the Body of Christ! This is not a call for human emotion, this is a call from God for us to align together, not because we are all meant to be the same with no differences, but we are meant to follow God with the same love and truth we all receive through Jesus.
Why Do We Need Unity in the Body of Christ?
Throughout the Bible, it is made clear that is it God’s will for us to be unified as one in the Body of Christ, led by Jesus. Here are 5 reasons from the Bible why we need to proactively commit to God’s instruction for us to unify:
- Jesus Prayed for All Believers to be One
When Jesus was nearing His crucifixion, He prayed. He began with praying for His disciples to unify, the first Believers who were spreading the news of salvation. He then expressed His will for ALL Believers to be one through Him, just as He and God the Father are One. What a powerful message from our Savior, for Him to go to the Father and specifically express His desire for unification in the body of Christ!
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” [ John 17:20-21 ]
- Jesus Declared the Unity of Believers Proves God’s Love to the World
Jesus states that He gave us God’s glory, His divine power and essence, to align us all as one. He declared He will be within us just as God is within Him, therefore, we are all are unified. This will show the world that God sent Jesus to us because He loves us as much as He loves Jesus. Being able to show God’s love through our unity with Jesus is a true gift and blessing! It is our duty to show this to the world and fulfill the will of our Lord and Savior.
“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 loved me.” [ John 17:22-23 ]
- When Unified, Believers Access the Strength and Wisdom of Jesus, Remaining in Truth and Love
When we unite together as Believers under Jesus, we gain the power and wisdom of Jesus. We are able to withstand struggle and opposition, not falling prey to false teaching or deceitful influence of those who try to lead you outside of God’s ways. We are steadfast in the truth through the love of God, growing into the level of spiritual maturity that truly exemplifies Jesus. Our unification positions us for the growth and strength of who we are meant to be, walking in love and achieving the work of God.
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” [ Ephesians 4:14-16 ]
- Jesus’s Purpose on the Cross Included Unifying All Under God to Make Peace
Jesus not only saved us from our sins, His sacrifice also made it possible for unifying to bring us peace. Before His crucifixion, we were divided. The purpose for His death on the cross was to complete reconciliation with God for all Jews and Gentiles. The creation of one unified humanity under God is the result, with peace for all through Jesus. Without unity through Jesus, we are squandering the peace that was created when He died on the cross.
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” [ Ephesians 2:14-16 ]
- It is God’s Plan for All of His Children to Be One Through Jesus
As Believers, we are all children of God by faith through the acceptance of Jesus as our Savior. We are no longer divided by any category that could separate us. God’s promise to Abraham reflects that ALL nations will be blessed and that blessing is Jesus. The sacrifice of Jesus brought unity reflected by this promise to all who believe. God’s plan for His children to be one through the blessing of Jesus was presented thousands of years before Jesus entered the world. It is His will for all Believers now and forever!
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. [Galatians 3:26-28]
[ Life Application ]
How Do I Fulfill My Responsibility to Exude Unity Among All Believers?
- Pray to God, asking for His guidance and grace to help you
- Acknowledge your desire to be unified with all Believers
- Walk in obedience of God’s instruction with patience and tolerance
- Do not let discouragement take over as you grow in this journey
- Believe that your commitment to exuding unity makes a difference
Unifying the body of Christ is not about all Believers “getting along” and having all the same viewpoints and opinions. It the will of God for us to all be aligned in our priority to follow Him through the truth of His Word, led by the love of Jesus. Know that you cannot control the actions of others. You can only do your part to walk in God’s will and be the example of what it means to be unified as One. The more who actively walk in unity, the more we can engage others to follow. With the power and love of Jesus, all Believers have the ability to achieve this call from God. By faith, we will reach victory.
BIBLE VERSE REFLECTION:
John 17:20-21, John 17:22-23, Ephesians 4:14-16, Ephesians 2:14-16, Galatians 3:26-28