UNITY

by Steven Ford

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).  

With it we can glorify God and do much good in the world.  Yet, without it our progress is stymied and our overall effectiveness is hampered.  Of course, I am referring to unity. Unity is fundamental in realizing the great potential for all true believers in Christ.  Its importance is such that the apostle Paul, in some way, mentioned UNITY in nearly every one of his inspired letters.  In one such letter he wrote. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

In an effort to highlight its significance, three questions need to be answered.  The first question is, “Why should one seek unity?”  To begin, it follows a divine pattern.  As recorded by John, our Lord prayed that we might be one.  “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21).  There is no division within the Godhead.  Thus in seeking to be shaped into the image of our Lord (Romans 8:29), we follow the divine pattern of being “one” or unified.

We should also seek unity because it is a blessing to all involved.  “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion...” (Psalm 133).  In this Psalm, unity is referred to as being both good and pleasant.  There are some things in life that are good, but not pleasant.  Still others may be pleasant, but not good.  Unity meets both criteria.  Not only is unity good and pleasant, but it is “precious.”  Its quality is compared to the anointing oils running down onto the beard of Aaron and the life giving waters that descended from the peaks of Mt. Hermon.  True unity is precious and should be sought after diligently.

Finally, we should seek unity because it allows for focus and stability. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).  The answer quite obviously is, no. Yet, to the contrary when the two are agreed, they can walk hand in hand to accomplish the goal that is set before them.

Further where there is NO UNITY, there is NO STABILITY.  “But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth” (Luke 11:17).  Now knowing its benefits, HOW is unity ACCOMPLISHED?  First, by all men walking the same godly “walk.”  “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye WALK worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1).  The apostle Paul encourages us to walk a “WORTHY” walk and NOT a “WORLDLY” walk. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world...” (Ephesians 2:1-2).  One must also “walk” in good works according to the eternal plan of God.  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

The second question to be answered is, “how is unity achieved?” We achieve unity by having the right attitude.  “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). There must exhibit an attitude of lowliness.  That means we should be humble; recognizing that it is not about us, but our Lord.  Further, we should have an attitude of meekness.  We should be gentle, kind, and under control.  This would make us like Christ himself.  For it was He that said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart...” (Matthew 11:28-29).

In achieving unity Paul says we should be longsuffering.  We should be patient with each other.  To compliment the longsuffering, he says we should “forbear one another in love,”  [literally to hold up, endure, and tolerate each other].  We should not be so quick to write someone off just because they don’t act like we would hope they would.  Consider the ways of God, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Finally, unity can be achieved by making the effort to do so.  “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).  Unity will not be achieved by sitting idly by and wishing for it.  By use of the word “endeavoring,” Paul indicates that we should exert ourselves, strive for, and make an earnest effort to be one through Christ.

Having noted the benefits and methods for attaining unity, the final question to answer is, “in which we are to be unified?”  Brother Winston Temple noted that Paul knew that on the divine side (the Godhead), there was perfect unity.  However, he also knew that to bring such a great number of people with different backgrounds into one body, the Church, could cause divisions. Therefore to curb these potential divisions he presented the perfect standard of unity as recorded in Ephesians 4:4-6.

1. There is “one BODY” - Therefore we have unity in ORGANIZATION.
2. There is “one SPIRIT” - Therefore we have unity in GUIDANCE.
3. There is “one HOPE” - Therefore we have unity in ASPIRATION.
4. There is “one LORD” - Therefore we have unity in AUTHORITY.
5. There is “one FAITH” - Therefore we have unity in DOCTRINE.
6. There is “one BAPTISM” - Therefore we have unity in OBEDIENCE.
7. There is “one GOD” - Therefore we have unity in WORSHIP.

We do not strive to accomplish “uniformity” wherein we all dress alike, have the same hobbies or interests, or even think alike on trivial matters. Yet, as it relates to all things spiritual, believers must be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement” (1 Corinthians 1:10).  

We should seek unity because it follows a divine pattern, blesses those involved, and gives us focus toward our spiritual goals.  Unity is accomplished by walking the right “walk,” having the proper attitude, and exerting oneself.  Finally, we are unified by appealing to the sacred standard as presented in Ephesians 4:4-6.  

When Christians stand as one, arm in arm, upholding the truth, and contending for the faith without any divisions, we can do exactly what the church should to do: Bring glory to God through faithful service in the name of Jesus the Christ.  “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen (Ephesians 3:21).

Steven's Bio: Steven Ford is the local evangelist for the Highway church of Christ in Benton, Arkansas. Benton is located in Central Arkansas just minutes from the capitol city of Little Rock. Steven is also a 2013 graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching. He, along with his wife Carlisa, and two daughters Savannah and Summer are originally from Detroit, Michigan. While in Michigan Steven was blessed to serve with two faithful congregations both both in the pulpit and with their youth.

Links:
http://www.highwaycoc.com

Together In The Christian Life

Henry Ford is quoted as saying, "Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success." As we apply this good logic within the congregational setting of the Lord's church, what lessons can we learn from Mr. Ford? 

There is always a beginning, a coming together. Whether the individual having visited and learned the Gospel and then obeys (2 Thess. 1:7-9) or the brother or sister having moved into the area and begins worshipping with the congregation, there is a beginning. For the new convert, there is a learning curve where foundational teaching and application helps the convert grow by "the sincere milk of the word" (1 Pet. 2:2). Also for the new member who has moved into the area, there is a learning curve. There is a period of time where the congregation is getting to know this new member and vice versa. In both cases, the member is getting to know the eldership, deacons, and preacher.

“…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thess. 1:7-9, ESV).

There is progress as time goes by that helps promote staying together. This is where each individual has opportunities to grow friendships with a Christian family and grow in faith. Paul reminds us that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17, ESV). Unity is founded in faith as each member grows in "knowledge" (2 Pet. 3:18) and in "love" (1 Cor. 13:4-8). Paul also reminds in Ephesians 4, “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 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. 4:1-3, ESV).

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends" (1 Cor. 13:4-8, ESV).

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18, ESV).

There is success when brethren are not only in unity, but actually working together. In fact, it is likely difficult to actually have unity when one is working and another is not. Success is seen then in the result of our working together. We work together with an eternal goal of Heaven (Col. 1:4-5). We work together with a common goal of our salvation and the salvation of others (Phil. 2:12; Mt. 28:18-20). We work daily in our praying, studying, helping, edifying, admonishing, preaching/teaching, etc.

“since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven” (Col. 1:4-5a, ESV).

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life” (Phil. 2:12-16a, ESV).

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:18-20, ESV).

Paul explained that, early in the church, miraculous gifts were given to benefit the church in its growth. We have the revealed Word of God today and that which has remained… “faith, hope, and love” (1 Cor. 13:13).

“…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all 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, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Eph. 4:12-16, ESV).

From Mr. Ford’s logic, we can see the growth process in the life of a Christian in the local congregation.  A beginning and place to start a new life, making progress in life by staying together, and ever striving in life toward that goal as we work together.  May we ever strive to grow and work together so that we might have Heaven as our eternal Home.

Photograph: Getty Images/Library Of Congress