Why Unity? How Unity?
Everyone rallies around the phrase of “unity in the body of Christ.” Why? What is the purpose of unity—to make us merely feel good? I don’t think so. The question is how are we unified—by hugging one another and singing kumbya? I don’t think so.
Unity is necessary for the body of Christ to fulfill her mission at the scale to which God calls her. It is a functional necessity. It can’t be done any other way. If there is really one body. If there is really a mandate that God has given us to fulfill. Camaraderie, belonging, security, and warmth are the benefits of unity—not the focus of it. Our oneness in Christ fills us with many good things. The oneness of the Spirit within us empowers us to do great things.
Unity will happen when we value what God has called us to do more than our own personal preferences. When we share a common mission, and you are central to that, then I have to help you.
Our method of gaining unity is all wrong. Generally it’s let’s all get together, pray and sing and we’ll be one. Wrong - it’s never happened that way—now or in the New Testament—only when we stood side-by-side for what we believed, for what God calls us to do, does it matter.
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Apr 11, 2008 at 12:30 PM
I believe that people all over the world are beginning to realize this need for Unity. For years we thought we could do it on our own. We thought ministry and the growth of the kingdom was some sort of a competition. We thought that the Lord gave US a vision, and that we were to move forward like a fright train pummeling anything in front of us in order to accomplish that vision. Of course, we rarely see that in scripture. Instead, I see Jesus stooping down to wash the feet of his disciples. I see Him commanding us to put the interests of others before our own, and humbly serve everyone around...yes everyone..."you mean even the church planter down the road!? But what if our members go to HIS church and not mine!?" (How a question like that can even come out of any of our mouths blows me away) I have come to the conclusion that a main reason we haven't seen Biblical unity among the body here in the states is because if it happened God would get the Glory. We don't like that. We want the glory, and we rob God of the glory He deserves because our flesh wants recognition, and approval. We SAY we want God to get glory, but our actions prove otherwise. We say we want to grow the kingdom no matter what, but it usually translates into growing OUR kingdom. When true unity begins to happen is when pastors, leaders, planters, missionaries, etc. begin to humbly serve those around them EVEN if it does not directly benefit THEIR thing, but the others. Unity happens when we count the interests of others as equally important as our own. Once again, this will be difficult because for this to happen ONLY God can take credit, and receive glory for it. I beg, and pray that we would desire His glory more than our own. "Father, set us free from our fleshly desires...our desires that rob you of the glory you deserve."
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Apr 12, 2008 at 01:44 AM
Why is it so easy for some to understand and so difficult for others?
Apr 12, 2008 at 04:46 AM
Maybe Arnau it's not a question of understanding, but a matter of having a vision big enough to control you more than a personal agenda of preference.
Apr 13, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Bob, you're right. But this is a major thing which has to happen in someone's life to get a vision that enables that person to be willing to sacrifice everything which they have cherished as "their own" in the past and to become part of a larger vision. Most churches (regardless of whether they are situated in Swaziland, South Africa or USA) are just not there yet. Their vision is about themselves and their relationship with God (good) but there is no (or a very restricted) vision for those outside of their own group and this vision will at most be that "we" have to reach out to "them" and not all of us REALLY becoming ONE! I've been struggling with this issue since the early 80s and I have seen very little change in Christians' attitudes about this in all these years. Theologians like David Bosch (whom I personally knew well) were crucified for saying what you are saying. But what you have said needs to be said over and over again until Christians hear and understand what it is all about.
Apr 13, 2008 at 09:35 PM
A word of advice from someone who has been there....
Unity is a difficult thing to attempt. In fact, WE can't acheive it. Only G-d is able to do this. If we go into something with expectations and dreams of what WE can accomplish, get ready because the hand of G-d will be there to capitalize on that teachable moment. He will humble us and crush us for the benefit of making new wine. Being crushed is never fun and can be extremely painful and usually is painful. Ultimately peace comes from within our hearts and being in the will of G-d.
Vision is inspiring and G-d gives us these visions to lead us along. Just don't be surprised when, the rug is pulled out from under us because it is always so tempting to take ownership of the vision. That is when most of us trip and fall. We try to control something that wasn't ours to begin with.
If we are abiding in G-d, we are already one in spirit. That is all that is really needed. From there, everything falls into place.
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