Unity In The Church, Keep The Unity

What is unity?

Definition: the state of being united or joined as a whole, oneness, a condition of harmony - accord, the quality or state of being made one - unification, a totality of related parts.

In this passage of scripture, Paul is writing to the Ephesians to encourage keeping unity within the church. Unity does not simply occur; we need to work at it. There are times when contrasts among people can prompt division, however this ought not occur inside the congregation. Here we should concentrate on what joins us, not separates us.

God has picked us to be the delegates of Christ on earth. Paul invites us to live deserving of the name 'Christian'. We should be peaceful, understanding, patient, gentle, and humble. The world is watching our lives. Would they be able to see Christ in us? How well are we getting along as His representatives?

Unity is a role of the Holy Spirit. As He leads, we should be happy and willing to be led. And if we are willing to be led, we should concentrate on God, not ourselves.

Colossians 3:12-14, Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

All children of Christ have a place with ONE body; all are joined under ONE Head, who is Christ Himself. Each Christian has undeniable abilities that can fortify the entire body. Our uncommon capabilities may appear to be little or enormous, yet we should utilize them in service of and for God. We ought to request that God utilize our talents or gifts to add to the fortifying and health of the entire body of believers.

Let us now look at the seven points of the number one. One is the number for Unity, and Seven is the number for Completeness.

ONE Body:

• Romans 12:5, So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

• 1 Corinthians 12:12, For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

• 1 Corinthians 12:20, But now are they many members, yet but one body.

ONE Spirit:

• 1 Corinthians 12:13, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

• 1 Corinthians 6:17, But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

• 1 John 5:7, For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

ONE Hope:

• Colossians 1:5, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.

• 1 Peter 3:15, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

• Psalms 39:7, And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

ONE Lord:

• 1 Corinthians 8:6, But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

• Philippians 2:11, And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• Acts 2:36, Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

ONE Faith:

• 1 Corinthians 16:13, Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

• Romans 10:17, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

• Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

ONE Baptism:

• Matthew 28:19, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

• Acts 2:28, Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

• Romans 6:4, Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.