|
Why is unity so important? Partially because it demonstrates to the world that we are Christians. In John 13:34-35 Jesus is giving a right to the world. He is giving the
world the right to judge whether you and I are Christians, based on our observable love toward other Christians. In John 17, Jesus stresses the importance of our unity
when He says: ". . .I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 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" (NIV) John 17:20b-21.
Jesus is praying for unity. Essentially what He is saying is
that unless the world sees some reality of the oneness of Christians, we cannot expect the world to believe that the Father sent the Son, that Jesus' claims are true,
or that Christianity is true. The observable practices of unity and of love are essential as we share the message of the Gospel.
How can we show the world a spirit of unity? The Bible has much to say about it. . .
** Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but
associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Romans 12:16
** Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree
and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10
** . . . for the equipping of the
saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a
mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and
carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects
into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each
individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:12-16
Continued tomorrow. . .
|
