Tonight’s sermon continued the series ‘The A-Z of Christian Faith’, looking at the vital importance of unity in our Christian walk. John 17:20-23 looks at Jesus’s prayer for all believers and we see from this several crucial points about unity:
- Unity comes through union with God. Jesus prayed for His disciples to be one as He is one with the Father. The union in the Godhead is the basis for all Christian unity. The church is not just a club for like-minded people; it is the body of Christ, and unity is derived from our abiding in Christ (see Jn 15:1-5, 1 Cor 12:12-27).
- Unity is not the same as uniformity. We don’t all have to look the same or dress the same or even agree about everything in order to be united! Rom 12:4-5 makes it clear that there can be unity in diversity. The disciples were all vastly different people (in terms of temperament and professions, politics and philosophies) and far from dividing us, our differences can make a positive declaration that our unity of purpose stems from God alone. It’s not necessarily easy to be united (Paul urges us to ‘make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace’, Eph 4:2), but it is possible as we remain in Christ.
- Unity is essential in our witness to the world. Jesus prays for us to be brought to complete unity because ‘then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.’ (Jn 17:23) Unity is a powerful sign to the world that God is at work. When we are united in Christ, the world will believe that God sent Jesus (Jn 17:21). This is because we will have the same heart and mind that God has and therefore we will reflect His character, His aims and His purposes. Christian unity is one of the most powerful witnesses we can ever have, for when we are united in love, other people will see God in us and through us; it’s a vital part of evangelism and a powerful testimony to the world of God’s love and power which can overcome differences and unite people in Him.
- Unity is the pathway to blessing. Ps 133:3 talks of God commanding or bestowing His blessing on those who are united. As we love, forgive, care for and build up others, we reflect God’s nature and make room for His blessings!
Christian unity is not simply wishful thinking; it is possible because we have become people who share in God’s divine nature (2 Pet 1:4, Jn 1:12-13) and therefore have access to something of His glory (Jn 17:22). As we dwell in Christ, nothing can divide us (see Col 3:11, Eph 2:14-22) and our unity can be a powerful witness to a world struggling with division, distress and broken relationships.
