Unity
Unity = oneness, harmony, agreement.
Paul writes about a great mystery: that we are the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:21-32).
Christian unity is based on each persons’ connection with Christ. We are united with
Christ in two ways: 1. By believing in His death (the sacrifice of His flesh) and
resurrection and 2. By devoting our self to living as He requires, depending on His
teaching for guidance and trusting in the Holy Spirit for power. Unity was apparent “on
the day of Pentecost when the believers were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:
1). The church is a unity in diversity, a fellowship of faith, hope and love that binds
believers together (Ephesians 4:3, 12-16).
Jesus’ great desire for His disciples was that they would become one, as He and the
Father are one. Jesus wants His followers to be unified as a powerful witness to the
reality of God’s love. We are to pray for each other, avoid gossip, built others up, work
together in humility, exalt Christ, and refuse to get sidetracked arguing over divisive
matters. Jesus prayed in John chapter 17 for unity among the believers based on the
believers’ unity with Him and the Father. Christians can know unity among themselves
if they are living in union with God. For example, each branch living in union with the
vine is united with all other branches, doing the same (John 15:1-15).
In Christ, unity has been made possible, “for in Him, we live, and move, and have our
being” (Acts 17:28a). The love commanded by Christ should create deep unity among
Christians, Paul prayed “I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and
more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding”
(Philippians 1:9). Unity ought to be a distinctive mark, among Christians. Many people
even Christians live only to make a good impression on others or to please
themselves. But selfishness brings discord. Paul therefore stressed spiritual unity,
asking the Philippians to love one another and to be one in the spirit and purpose
(Ephesians 3:14-19). In order to have unity, we have to walk in the love of God.
Remembering that the “love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit which is given to us” (Romans 5:5). Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things
through Christ which strengthens me”.
We achieve unity by renewing our minds to the word of God, Paul wrote “I beseech
you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not
conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you
many prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12;1-
2). James says it this way “whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continue
therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be
blessed in his deed” (James 1:25).
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: May 12, 2006