UNITY OF THE CHURCH
INTRODUCTION
Unity of the Church is important in a time that the forces of evil are attempting to gain influence in the world with a migration towards ungodliness of man. Those seeking to dominate are amassing powerful foes; attempting to erase Christianity from the face of the earth, or any threat toward desired goals of power and control.
Despite the attempt to wipe out Christianity; it continues to grow and prosper, even in many nations where persecution is severe and openly pursued. Unity of the Church shines forth as a beacon when it refuses to align with ungodliness; not conceding to the devices of the enemy.
Unity of the Church
Strength in Numbers
Unity of the Church is needed in times that are undeniably evil. Scripture reveals: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. If they fail, the one will lift up his fellow (companion); but woe to him that is alone when he falls, for he has not another to help him up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
The Church, because of the culture drift of today, can become divided rather than strengthened; with demoralizing traits through acceptance of the previously unacceptable. There is a new generation of believers failing to receive the guiding principles of the previous generation, allowing intermixing with the world rather than maintain godly influences of the past.
Persecution of the Church
As persecution continues to arise towards the Church, through the evilness of man, the unity of the Church will be more needful than ever before. The denominational barrier of less importance because it hinders a coming together in the hour of need; with fewer attempts to bit and devour one another because of a denominational name tag.
The Apostle Paul wrote: You have been called to liberty; only use not that liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another (Galatians 5:13-15).
Enemies of the Cross
Identity as a Christian lies in walking in accordance with God’s Word. Apostle Paul wrote: Our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from where also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). It was noted that if we emulate Christ, we will live like Christians; but if we fail we will become unduly occupied with the enemies of the cross and not live like citizens of Heaven.
Jesus gave the recipe for true discipleship: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another (John 13:34-35). The unity of the Church requires such; an agape (godly) type of love, one toward another.
Beware of Deceitfulness
of Man
Jesus said: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil (bad) fruit (Matthew 7:15-17); wherefore by their fruits (works) you shall know them (Matthew 7:20).
Unity of the Church requires one to exam what is being presented; an example is of a political leader who spoke about the blessings of the Almighty and Christian beliefs which would become the pillar of the new government. Who was this leader; it was Adolf Hitler, who influenced thousands through flowery messages of deception and showmanship, even by many in the Church who thought he was a man sent by God.
Defecting from the
Truth
Falling away from the truth of the Gospel message is amply illustrated by Apostle Paul, in writing to the Galatians: I marvel that you are so soon removed (turning away) from him that called you unto the grace of Christ to another gospel; which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would (want to) pervert the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-7). It was noted that the Galatians were quickly deserting, and were in the initial state of defecting from the truth.
The unity of the Church bears heavily upon one’s remaining firmly entrenched in the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God. The Apostle John wrote: He that say, I know him (Jesus), and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby we know that we are in him. He that says he abides in him ought himself so to walk even as he walked (1 John 2:4-6).
Church will Survive
Jesus affirmed that the Church will survive any on slaughter that attempts to suppress it. He said to the Apostle Peter: I say to you, you are Peter (representative of the church), upon this rock (foundation) I will build my church; and the gates of hell (forces of evil) shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).
It was noted that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church should be understood as meaning “shall not stand against.” The unity of the Church is of extreme importance in opposing any on slaughter towards its stand for Christ as its Redeemer and Deliverer.
Church Equipped to
Stand
God equipped the Church to stand. The Apostle Paul wrote: Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be “able to stand” against the wiles (schemes) of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you (take up) the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand (Ephesians 6:10-13).
The whole armor of God consists of: Truth, Righteousness, Gospel of peace, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. In the same text the value of prayer is identified as of extreme importance; representing the unity of the Church through a willingness to pray one for another.
Weapons of Warfare
The Apostle Paul wrote: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of the flesh), but mighty through God to the tearing down of strongholds; casting down imaginations (arguments) and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
It was noted that the Christian does not fight according to human standards, but with God’s provision to fight the good fight of faith and being equipped to do so. Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, a young evangelist: Endure hardness (hardship), as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3).
Danger of Discord
As your strength is in your union, your danger is in discord; therefore be in peace henceforth, and as brothers live together (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow). Even weak men when united are powerful (Friedrich Schiller). Unfortunately, we are seeing ungodliness becoming more powerful through Satan and His cohorts.
There is a trend towards the evilness of man as noted by the Prophet Isaiah: Woe to them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20-21); with his prophetic words being expounded upon in these latter days.
A Glorious Church
The Apostle Paul wrote: Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it (on the Cross of Calvary), that he might sanctify (set it apart) and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (Word of God). That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27).
The unity of the Church unites the body of
Christ (the Church), through love and devotion towards the one who died (Jesus)
that we might live; who was resurrected from the dead on the third day, and now
sits on the right hand of God as our Intercessor (1 John 2:1). The Church’s victory has already been paid
through His love and devotion.
Scripture reveals: For God so loved the world (you and I), that he gave his only begotten Son (the Lord Jesus Christ), that whosoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). The unity of the Church depends on the unity and abounding love towards the Savior of the World, and a Heavenly Father.
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