UNITY By Ayuba Michael

INTRODUCTION

One of the challenges Christians and the body of Christ face this generation is that of disunity, which has taken different forms and patterns ranging from differences in denominational practices, doctrines and believes, to conviction on certain biblical principles and values. Although these issues are not controversial in the Spirit, Christians have perceived them differently and this has made the topic of unity a must teach topic that should be considered among believers and followers of Jesus Christ our Lord.

DEFINITION

Unity is the state or fact of being one undivided entity. It also means to have one purpose and goal by more than one person or entities.

Jesus while praying for his disciples in John 17:6-19 also prayed for us in 17:20-21 “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

From the words of Christ, it is obvious that one of the ways Christ wanted us, the children of God to live is that we be one (united and undivided), and we can see that unity is never a ‘do without’ thing for believers, for unity is power, unity is Progress and it is so important that the scriptures said in Matthew 12:25 “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand”.

It is clear that as Christians,  we cannot achieve the task  (the great commission) the master left for us until we become one with Him as He is with the father. In fact unity is an ingredient of attaining purpose even for an individual because for the spirit to reach destination, the body and soul must conform to the desire of the Spirit of God within, hence, if the body desires evil and the spirit desires holiness, the soul of a man will not and can never prosper but will be eternally destroyed. It is upon this basis that Christ asked that his people be one and in the same accord if they must achieve results in anything they do on earth.

In the book of Acts the people dwelt in one accord in a particular place until The coming of the Holy Ghost. Here, there was unity of purpose which is to wait upon the Holy Ghost according to the instructions they have received.

UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

Unity in the of Christ is not as that of the world but a kind of relationship that brings us into becoming one with God as we yield and submit ourselves to one another and God through Christ.

Unity means walking together as a people called and chosen by God {Amos 3 :38}.

Additionally, it is praying together with a single aim by believers (Acts 1: 4-8).

Unity means fellowship with the brethren and not despising the gathering of the saints (Psalms 133).

It is giving and sharing with the brethren; “And the multitude of them

That believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common; And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all; Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold; And laid them down at the Apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surname Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, ‘The son of consolation’) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”(Acts 4:32-37).

It means to speak with one mind and same judgement as Paul admonished the church at Corinth that there be no divisions among them (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Furthermore, unity is the agape (John 3:16), it is living in the love of Christ with the brethren, bound by the spirit of God. It goes beyond meeting during usual fellowship days or Sundays to do the normal routine and go our separate ways- it is bearing and carrying burdens of one other, though with different calling but with a singular aim of winning souls and making heaven.

IMPORTANCE OF UNITY

Unity is so important that the disciples immediately replaced Judas Iscariot with Mathias after Jesus Christ ascended to heaven so to keep the house and family complete, because the success of a system anywhere is dependent on its ability to work together in one accord. This principle is literally visible in the story of the vine and the branch, the unity of the branch with the vine gives it life and ability to produce result (fruit) and so is the importance of unity, it supplies other parts what they lack.

It promotes the well-being of the people; as shown in the book of Acts, the unity of the early church provided for the needs of the less privileged among them.

Unity itself is a means to an end; reaching the mark and making heaven. If we stay together, it is obedience to the world of God for whosoever breaks the hedge the serpent shall bite.

Finally, the body of Christ will grow and reach the expected desire of the father in heaven if the church unites her principles, values and doctrines among other things, it will lead to massive soul winning to the kingdom of our dear Father. And this is the desire of the Father, that we all be ONE!

     

Adapted from

The Bible Study Outline

Produced by

FCS A.B.U, Kongo Campus, Zaria

2019/2020 Spiritual Session

About the Author

Ayuba Michael is currently serving as the Vice-President of F.C.S Kongo Campus 2019/2020 Spiritual Session. He is a 500l Civil Law Student from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He is a creative writer, motivational speaker and charismatic leader. Try to check out one of his articles on the blog.

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