Tag Archives: unity

Greatness In Our Diversity

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(Ephesians 4:7)  “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”

Everyone loves a story where the underdog wins. “David vs. Goliath” is a phrase used in our culture to describe a battle between the less advantaged and the expected victor. In sports we can look at examples of the greatest upsets where the team who appeared to have no chance actually turned to greatness even if it was only for one day. Who can forget:

  1. The 1980 Miracle on Ice – A U.S. Olympic college hockey team beats the best team in the world and eventually wins the gold medal
  2. Superbowl 42 – The New York Giants upset the previously undefeated New England Patriots with two fourth quarter touchdowns.
  3. The 1969 World Series – The Mets win (yes, once upon a time)
  4. The 1950 World Cup – The U.S. defeats England (you never heard of this shocker?)
  5. The 1985 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship – Villanova takes down Georgetown

In any upset where there is unexpected victory, we find common characteristics: For one short moment in history, there is the perfect combination of teamwork and skill. A team with so much diversity and difference comes together for a common purpose. When you put these things together for a brief period, you have all the ingredients for an upset. But when you put these things together over the long stretch, you go beyond the capacity of an upset. You have the recipe for greatness.

In this verse, the discussion turns from the unity in the Body of Christ to diversity. But it isn’t the type of diversity we usually think about. We usually think about diversity in a negative context. All we hear about in the media are differences in economic status, nationality, skin color, social environment and anything else that can be used to divide a people. The Bible never paints diversity in the Church using these factors. We see in this verse the diversity is in light of the ministries (or grace) given to us by God. There is diversity in our unity and unity in our diversity. In a healthy body there are many parts working to perform individual functions but working in unison to accomplish a single purpose. This is what we are as the Church.

We have the capacity to be what we are designed to be as the Body of Christ – “But unto every one of us is given…” Those differences the world wants us to see need to be set aside as inconsequential. The Christian living in a mud hut and the Christian living in the city are one in Christ. The rich and the poor are one in Christ. The Christian in the Philippines, the Christian in Zambia and the Christian in Germany are one in Christ. The diversity in Him is found in the gifts and ministries we’ve been given, not in our surroundings. This is how we can find strength in our differences. This is how we can find victory in spite of those factors that usually divide. In Christ, we have all the ingredients necessary for greatness as a team, a family, and a living Body.

Renewed Thought – Christ is the only Provider of true and lasting unity where our diversity is not a reason for separation but celebration in Him.

Unity In Our Identity

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(Ephesians 4:4-6) “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” 

Unity can be and has been a divisive subject – especially in Christianity! In Ephesians 4:3, we are encouraged to “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit.” If you search across the vast landscape of church life, it’s hard to figure out what this really looks like in practice. Those of us in the Western world live in a culture where churches seem to be everywhere. Yet much of the unity among Christians only occurs within the walls of each individual building on a Sunday morning – and even then there is divisiveness!

Unity of the Spirit isn’t hard to understand. In fact, sometimes I think we read too much into it as if the definition is some deep theological concept. It is true that the means for achieving unity of the Spirit takes us deep into the mind of God. But the actual definition of it is made obvious.

In the Word of God, unity of the Spirit is an assumption. If we are in Christ, the Bible assumes we are one in Him. Unity does not result from the external. Unity of the Spirit is something that is an internal transformation designed to produce something externally. It is an essential part of our identity.

[box]Unity in practical terms happens when we live corporately the identity we’ve been given individually in Christ. We see it in real life when the Church lives out who it really is as a Body.[/box]

In Christ, we have the capacity for unity and peace that goes beyond anything the world offers. Regardless of whether we meet together in a vast facility or in the best shelter we can find, our unity in Christ is rooted in these seven foundational doctrines. These doctrines are not denominational particulars but rather these are the identifying marks of the Body of Christ. Once we believe the gospel, we are baptized by the Holy Spirit into one Body (1 Cor 12:13) to serve one God in a unified hope of His return. The challenge for all of us is whether we can deny self enough to embrace this identity and to see the difference between what is really petty and what is divine. This is the key to unity of the Spirit and ultimately peace within the Body. This is what can make the Church an unstoppable force.

Renewed Thought – How much of myself am I willing to lay aside to demonstrate the reality of Christ to the world through His Church?

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Guarding Unity

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(Ephesians 4:3)  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The word translated “Endeavouring” in this verse is the Greek word spoudazō. It is the same word translated “Study” in 2 Timothy 2:15. But the Christian life is not academic. It is a life that is lived. Each of us lives an individual life with individual influences, individual environments, individual pain, individual joy, individual thoughts and an individual relationship with the Father. Yet, in this Body of Christ into which the Spirit baptizes each of us at the time of salvation, we are made as individual parts to work together as a whole. Because of our individuality but placed into oneness, unity must be guarded. We are called to be keepers diligently protecting the oneness we have in Christ.

How is unity protected? Do we demand that each person conform to the thoughts, influences and environment of one person or a group of people? Do we require each person grow in Christ to our specifications? Is unity accomplished when we worship in “our” church with “our” people? Do we declare the perfection of our theology and discount all who will not succumb? How fractured we must look to God as we set our own standards for unity! The beauty of the Body of Christ is that even in our individuality; we can exist and function as one living organism. Yes, some are right and some are wrong. Of course some grow into His image faster than others. Unity is not protected by those who more fervently believe they are right nor is it protected by the assumption that everyone is right.

Unity is protected by those qualities of the Lord Jesus Christ that are described in the preceding verse: lowliness, meekness, forbearance and love. True humility with the mind of Christ gives us the capacity to work together in spite of our differences. Economics, race, nationality, and yes – even denomination are no barriers to love between brothers and sisters in Christ. So how about doctrine? Does doctrine matter? Of course doctrine matters. But do we have the audacity to accept that even humility and love ARE doctrine as much as any theological approach?  Are we brave enough to lower ourselves below the less mature to allow them the opportunity to grow?  Can we work together to reach the lost and encourage the redeemed because we are in one Body? Unity can only be protected if we are bold enough to think like Christ – in humility and love, lowering ourselves for the sake of the brethren, and ministering together to do the will of the Father.

Renewed Thought – True unity isn’t about compromise. True unity is living the higher calling in communion.