Unity: Mending the Body That Jesus’ Body was Broken For
In the Christian life, it can be easy to forget that we are part of a much larger body. We become caught up in our own small groups and church events and can lose sight of the weight of being a part of the body of Christ.
Not only do we lose sight of this, but it would seem there is much resistance to the unification of the body of Christ. You only have to peruse the comments section on Christian pages and videos to see the disunity that exists amongst believers.
We allow petty arguments and differences in opinion to cause division and strife. We aid the enemy in his work by acting indifferently and even hostile towards those who disagree with us.
What would it look like if we kept our common faith in Jesus as the central focus of our interactions with other Christians and allowed this common ground to be the soil that cultivates growth and flourishing in the Church?
I came across the above video recently of Jewish and Arabic Christians worshiping next to the garden tomb in Israel, the alleged site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. It is striking to see two people groups with such a long-standing history of conflict unified in their worship of Jesus.
Regardless of past hurts and offences, some personal perhaps, through the forgiveness they have received from Jesus this group of Christians was move past animosity and band together as brothers and sisters for the cause of Christ.
Similarly, in 2017 in South Africa, a country tainted by crime, violence and racial divides, approximately one million Christians from different cultures and denominations came together to pray for the nation. They recognised that Jesus is the only ultimate answer to the complexity of the societal issues they face.
There comes a point where nothing else will suffice. Where no amount of talking or convincing or policy or plan will do. This is the point where God must bring healing, reconciliation and unity.
The church in Australia has much work to do. The need in our country is all around us. Most of us are satisfied with material needs. But our country is filled with people who are seeking hope and community.
The spiritual need in our country is great.
I believe the Church’s effectiveness and impact would increase exponentially if we worked together in unity. As Paul admonishes the church in Romans 15:
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:5–7)
Let us come together with one voice and put aside differences of opinion to meet the spiritual need that Australia is crying out for. Let us love one another as Christians so well that others take notice.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35)
May our public interactions with one another never be the reason that someone is hesitant to come to Christ. Let us draw the world in by our counter-cultural care and love for one another.
Love that is not self-seeking, but self-sacrificing.
A practical way that we can move towards unity is through corporate prayer. The National Day of Prayer and Fasting will be held on the 27th of May this year with the theme of love and unity. It is an opportunity to join with other believers in your area to pray for the body of Christ.
I leave you with the prayer of Jesus for the unity of his Church:
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20–21)
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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio.
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You set before us a challenge of Biblical proportions, quite literally Jana , and I thank you for doing so.
Reading your work reminds me that I do not have to be a member of the church of nice……in order to be a member of His Church . However it is imperative that I follow His teaching , His lived example.
What Jesus personifies in His life, death and resurrection is the only, solution for us individually and corporately . Let us proceeded into this odyssey He has called us to and in His grace , forgive those who really do not know what they are doing.
So beautiful to see this act of love and humility
amongst the different denominations
Jana, great piece, thank you so much. You have held a huge challenge before us. I think we are really ‘comfortable’ with the company of ‘our own’. But for me there is too much at stake in these days for us to remain comfortable. I think as Christians, we can and should, all take a strong stand for justice and particularly, I think we can all raise our voice in unity for the voiceless – lets start with the unborn. But next I would say lets take a stand for the children, who’s lives are being confused and literally ‘destroyed’ by the gender agenda.
Amen Jim…
It seems to me that too many are aiming for unity at any price. Up to and including handing over the children of our Nation in the hope of appeasing the demands of the demonic force steadily gaining control .
Yes let us raise our collective voice in unity for the unborn and of equal importance….. to refuse to cede our children to the State who has clearly stated their evil intentions toward them.