What’s important to Jesus should be important to us. Sometimes it’s that simple. The importance of unity in the church is very close to Jesus’ heart and something we should put equal weight and value to as well.
This is a message for the Living Church.
Unity in the Church
The value and importance of unity in the church is prayed for by Jesus in John 17:21-23 NLT. He says, “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one- as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (emphasis mine)
This entire chapter in fact is Jesus praying. Earlier in verse 11 he also prays for the disciples he was with at the time that, “Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.” (emphasis mine)
This chapter of prayer from Jesus gives me great confidence and comfort in knowing what was and is so dear and precious to Jesus. It also strengthens my resolve to realize the weight of importance the unity in the church is to Jesus and how much it should be to each of us.
Sometimes we get sucked into putting too much stock on other factors rather than pursuing unity in the Church. We become disgruntled and bitter over non-essential issues. Or maybe our pride is more valuable than maintaining the spirit of unity in the church.
As faithful followers of Jesus, this passage from John 17 clearly shows how valuable and important it is to Him that we pursue unity among believers.
Why is unity so important?
As previously explained, the importance of unity in the church is of great importance and value to Jesus and thus, should be the same for us. But why exactly? When we’re unified as a body of believers, we reflect and give witness to the world of the love that motivated Jesus.
Our divisiveness feeds straight into Satan’s schemes. What’s important and close to Jesus’ heart is pretty much guaranteed to have a bullseye on it for attack.
To look around our world today and see the disunity among not only the church, but marriages, families, relationships, and communities is heartbreaking. But don’t let this lead you to defeat!
This passage from John 17 is so special because it also shows Jesus praying for our protection from the evil one in verses 11 and 15. To see how that protection goes hand in hand with the sacredness and value of protecting the unity in the church affirms yet again its value and importance.
To take it a step further, Satan knows this too. As followers of Jesus, we need to be aware of this and be on guard against it. Disunity and destruction are what he’s after. Be aware of this to recognize it quickly, repent of it swiftly, and be responsible to deal with it rightly.
How can we have unity in the church?
So how exactly can we have unity in the church and live this out?
Unity in the Church: Make what is important to Jesus important to you.
I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. John 17:20-21
Unity in the Church: Seek to be united in the Spirit.
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. Ephesians 4:3-4
Unity in the Church: Put into practice the truth we have been given.
Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. John 17:17
Unity in the Church: Speak in love, live in love.
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:15
I want to share Paul’s prayer from Romans 15:5-7:
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
The picture of unity among believers joining together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is breathtaking! It is the Father’s heart and so must be ours as well.
Father, let it start with us.
The power of unity in the church
A united front is always stronger. As I’ve been studying the importance of unity in the church, it is evident the power that comes through unity.
Unity in the Church is through:
One Body – the fellowship of believers as we serve as the hands and feet of Jesus and make disciples.
One Spirit – the Holy Spirit pulsating through us, leading us if we are willing to be led.
One Hope – the future of glory we have our eyes fixed on.
One Lord – the one and only One whom we serve.
One Faith – the commitment we share to Christ.
One Baptism – the sign of our obedience and entry into the church.
One God – the One that keeps us, always.
This is the oneness of all believers.
Christian Unity
Colossians 3:12-15 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
The tie that binds: love. Not worldly love. We’re too fickle and not capable of loving this way on our own. This is Christ’s love which is infinitely greater.
The Pollyanna in me wants everyone to get along and when I read a passage like this in Colossians, I see do..do..do.. and my mind is teased into believing if we all just “do”, then the life of the church will be grand!
But these are all impossible asks. Clothe yourselves in tenderhearted mercy..humility..patience..forgiving anyone who offends me. No matter how hard I attempt to “do”, I don’t have it in me to accomplish it. Plus, I’ve tried and the result is failure. Sooner or later we face burnout.
The secret is this: Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. (vs 11)
How incredible!
If we’re not surrendering to His life in us – to live this out for us – none of these things will be possible or genuine. We’re not that strong or capable. Our forgiveness of others is because of His forgiveness toward us. Chances are, true forgiveness needs to take place for proper unity to be restored.
Christ is all that matters.
When we are bound tightly in His love and lay down our own self-driven desires and emotions to the Lord, the power of unity in the church is magnificent!
United, we express the beauty and fullness of Christ.
And God is glorified!
Importance of Unity in the Church
The fact is, the world is watching us. This is the very world Jesus entered so that we would believe in Him. The importance of unity in the church is sacred.
So,…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… Joshua 24:15
May we all be faithful followers and serve our Savior united amongst each other!
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This is an absolutely excellent study about unity in the church. Thank you for writing and sharing this.
WOW, what an on time, powerful message! Thank you
Thank you so much . A very important and timely Message indeed . We aboslutely need unity in Our Church so that Christ Life Will be seen and evident in our Church . I Will be sharing this Lovely Message with your permission . Thank you God bless !!
Praise God! Yes, please feel free to share. I pray we always seek the Father’s heart in all things! Grateful, Erin