Photo Credit: Elaine Thompson/Associated Press
There's a lot of talk about unity these days. The reason for all this talk? Racism, sexism, ageism, same sex couples, transgender issues, politics, liberal, conservative, Republican, Democrat, and on and on. We can talk until we drop but only way to get to true and perfect unity is to do as Jesus taught and did.
Mark 12:30-31 NIV Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
What is unity?
Unfortunately, many think that unity means “sameness.” This is not true. Unity is not uniformity. Instead, unity can be defined as any group of people who are characterized by a shared purpose, vision, or direction. It’s not about being the exact same, but about advancing toward the same goal.
Ephesians 3:6 NIV This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:13 NIV until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 2:14-16 NIV For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Mark 12:30-31 NIV Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
What is unity?
Unfortunately, many think that unity means “sameness.” This is not true. Unity is not uniformity. Instead, unity can be defined as any group of people who are characterized by a shared purpose, vision, or direction. It’s not about being the exact same, but about advancing toward the same goal.
Ephesians 3:6 NIV This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:13 NIV until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 2:14-16 NIV For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
The Trinity is the epitome (perfect example) of unity.
We can think of many examples of unity, but are they perfect? Are they ideal? Are those examples the epitome of unity. The definition of epitome is a typical or ideal example. In our case it means the perfect example, representation or manifestation of unity.
What do you think about when you hear the following question: “What is the epitome of unity?” What jumps into your mind?
Most of the examples of unity that we can think of will have flaws and shortcomings. However, we see the perfect example of unity within the Trinity. The Trinity refers to God eternally existing in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three persons are equally God. However, each person has a distinct role or function within the Godhead, and the three exist in perfect fellowship and community. Yet, there are not three separate gods, but only One. That is, the Godhead is perfectly unified.
Real unity establishes a oneness that will not remove or diminish individuality. Each member of the Trinity has a separate role. God, in His infinite wisdom, replicated this reality in His creation. God’s design was to always have differences among people, seen in different races, colors, shapes and styles. Each race and ethnicity are unique and possesses a unique individuality. And yet, God’s desire is for His people to embrace their uniqueness while also maintaining Christian unity. He wants us to follow His perfect example.
John 17:21-23 NIV that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
10 Verses about Our Unity in Christ
John 17:23 “I in them and you in me–so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Colossians 3:14-15 “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:3-6 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Psalm 133:1“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”
1 Peter 3:8 “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit…”
Matthew 18:19-20 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
Galatians 3:26-28 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 17:23 “I in them and you in me–so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Colossians 3:14-15 “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:3-6 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Psalm 133:1“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”
1 Peter 3:8 “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit…”
Matthew 18:19-20 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
Galatians 3:26-28 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
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