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. John 17:23 (NLT)
Perfect unity? What does that even mean? We look around us and see a multitude, or more accurately, myriad assemblies of different churches, groups, and organizations claiming to serve Christ. Some of the disagreements seem minor, while other disputes form “Grand Canyon like” divisions.
If that is not discouraging, in and of itself, just think of the divisions that often occur in a single, local expression of the church. Christ called for perfect unity, but sometimes we cannot even agree on the paint or carpet color.
Of course, there are always legitimate areas of disagreement. Sometimes, we must separate because the chasm is too vast. Still, something is seriously wrong when the word heretic is thrown around when someone does not agree with our eschatological timeline. Sometimes we wonder if unity is even an objective, or do we cherish that it is “us against the world?”
What Is Possible?
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (NIV)
Jesus prayed that we would experience perfect unity. What does that look like? There is occasional conflict, even in the best of relationships. Most of us would say we have not seen “perfect unity” in our church experiences.”
Did Jesus give us an objective that we cannot reach? It is not a stretch to say that it probably won’t happen in our strength and ability. We must ask this essential question. How much do we desire unity? There is something in human nature that strives to be unique or different. Put another way; there is an innate impulse to think we are superior.
How often do we reject everything from a person or a group because we disagree on one point? The sad truth is this; when we look for reasons to oppose, we do not have the heart of Jesus operating within us.
If someone is in error but is willing to fellowship with us and even listen to us, we are obligated to “live at peace” with them. Remember in the Book of Acts when Priscilla and Aquila encountered Apollos in Ephesus? He was enthusiastic, but his knowledge was incomplete. Instead of rejecting him, as some would do today, they embraced him and “explained to him the way of God more adequately.” Do what is possible to encourage unity.
A Symphony of Agreement
Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19 (AMP)
The Greek word translated agree or agreement is the same word from which we get symphony. Jesus told us that if we agree, the things that we asked for will come to pass. If this is true for just two or three followers of Christ, just imagine how much we can accomplish for the Kingdom when God’s people, across church or denominational lines, come into agreement.
It is vital that we agree, not just because things go smoother, but because there is power and authority available to us when we are in agreement. It is the key to accomplishing the mission that Christ gave his church. Jesus said: Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 (NLT)
It does not take a genius to understand that harmony and agreement, even love for each other, is attractive to those on the outside. We find it sad that people who claim to be followers of Christ sometimes appear to be in conflict about more things than not.
The task of evangelizing this world, declaring the good news of the gospel, is significantly easier when we show the world that we love one another “as Christ loved us.” Unity and harmony go beyond sentiment; they pave the way for the world to come to God.
Let’s Stop Making Excuses
Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve. Proverbs 24:11–12 (NLT)
It is not hard to find reasons to be disagreeable. However, it goes both ways. It is not hard for others to find reasons to be in disagreement with us. Because of the mission given to us to do and who we are called to be in this world, it is time for us to stop making excuses and, in the words of the hymn, “Rescue the perishing, care for the dying.”
As Paul said in Romans 12, live at peace with everyone, if possible. We know it not always be realized, yet we remember our task and mission. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 2 Corinthians 5:17–18 (NLT)
We cannot do the job that Christ has given us without each other. It is time to look for reasons to be in harmony so that “the world will know that Jesus was sent from the Father.” Remember: So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34 (NLT)
Steve Ekeroth