True Unity

Still exploring the complexities of unity, we see from Scripture that there is unity of the believer with Jesus Christ and within the body of Christ, the Church. But within the Church, is there true unity? Or is there uniformity? What does this supposed unity within the body of Christ look like these days? Sadly, very similar to what it looked like in Paul’s days.

Apostle Paul cautioned the Corinthian church by writing,

“…brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.” – 1 Corinthians 12:1 (NIV) 

Uniformity is not unity. True unity is not about sameness. When Jesus spoke of unity, oneness, He was never intending for believers to be clones of each other. In verse 20 Paul says,

“…there are many parts, but one body”

Paul recognized that true unity within the body of believers is characterized by diversity. It’s about working together even though there are differences between us. God uses our strengths and weaknesses for His benefit, the benefit of others and the building up of His Church.

True unity is rooted in grace and in lovingkindness. True unity is about commitment and sacrifice. It’s about washing each other’s feet and choosing to turn the other cheek when you would really prefer to respond with a fitting comeback. True unity is about loving the seemingly unlovable and quietly “doing” when nobody’s looking.

Beloved, when you dare to love as Jesus loved, as God loves, you are displaying true unity. True unity is in action, it’s not passive but bold and tangible. True unity is never pretentious or pompous.

Without true unity, we as followers of Christ can “do nothing” because true unity is embedded in the life of Christ, in the actions of Christ and in the cross of Christ.

“I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 (AMP)

The Church will accomplish nothing if it isn’t in true unity – “vital union” – with Jesus.

In Romans 12:4-5 (GNT) Paul explains,

“We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions. In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body.”

Apostle Paul was keenly interested in true unity within the Church, not as some sort of indiscernible connection but as a very visible oneness that could be easily seen throughout the body of believers, in order that every believer may come to spiritual maturity.

He amplifies this in his letter to the Ephesians,

“…to build up the body of Christ [the church]; until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity].” – 4:12, 13 (AMP)

Beloved, true unity already exists, for Christ Jesus accomplished it, however, it is yet to be attained and manifested within the members of Christ’s body, the Church. So, let us eagerly work towards this reality “with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love.” making “every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful].” – Ephesians 4:2 & 3 (AMP)

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “True Unity” © June 25, 2025