Unity

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 17:21

I’m passionate about unity within the body of Christ. I believe that unity was a major factor in the early churches surge to Gospel influence and impact, and is a main component of the marvelous work taking place in eastern society. Unity is truth unbreakable and unshakeable centered and anchored in the person of God.

In the Garden, disunity entered when Eve ate of the fruit. It disunited her with her husband. She was now out of line with Adam, and most importantly, God. Then Adam ate of the fruit, and he found himself in disunity with his wife, and with God. Disunity is the absence of the peace and presence of God. Disunity then, is a huge Kingdom blocker. It keeps us from walking in the favor, peace, and fellowship that God intends for His children. It brings up to a habitat that is outside of the will of God.

Unified with Him

John 17 shows Jesus praying on behalf of the church to His Father. The first thing He requests is that His disciples, and those who would believe in Him after the disciples would enter into Heaven with Jesus, would be one with each other, just as the Father and Jesus are one. Jesus heart was for the people of God to enjoy unadulterated fellowship and relationship with one another, and with Him.

This can only happen when everyone in the room is willing to submit to Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Until Jesus is Lord and Savior of everyone’s life (in your church, house, family, etc), this unity is impossible. Therefore, it is imperative that all who are Christ followers take up their cross daily and die to their flesh, and walk in the Spirit. Unity can only be a possibility, when Christ followers are under the same yoke. To be one with another disciple, means that you must first become a disciple. Only in the regeneration can one find the wisdom, submission, and empowerment to live united in Christ.

Unified with His Heart

In this same verse in John 17, Jesus communicates His heart. He wants His people to be one with Him, but also with one another. Once I am reconciled to Him, He can then lead me and guide me to desire His heart. I find that the most divisive people are the most lost people. They are angry, bitter, sad, and know NOTHING of the Gospel. They may know Gospel tidbits, but they haven’t tasted and seen that the Lord is good. So the idea of being unified in Him, and with His heart, is out of the question.

To be unified with His heart, to is desire what He desires. This means your flesh must bow down to the Lord. Why do you think fasting was one of the first ministry assignments of Jesus? It is because His flesh needed to bow down to His Spirit.

The same is true for believers today. The reason you may not be encountering this unity, is because the flesh has not learned its rightful place.  It’s up to you, to take up your cross. The second you stop taking up your cross, you start wearing the yoke of Babylon, chasing the pleasures of this world, and justifying your actions with western reasoning. This is not the Lord’s heart for you.

When you are one with His heart, it is easy to say no to yourself, and this world. Therefore, it is easy and joyful to say yes to His Kingdom and will. Jesus desired that we be unified with His heart.

Unified with His Vision

Unity without cause is religion, and thus, dangerous and deadly to all who are united under that yoke. Jesus had a purpose for this unity. The purpose of the unity was so that the world would know and believe that Jesus was sent by the Father. That is the purpose of unity, so that Jesus may be revealed as Lord and Savior.

To have a desire for this, I must be unified for His vision for unity.

When the world see’s a unified Church, they will see the message of the Gospel. I pray that today, you are able to find yourself unified in Christ, as mentioned above.

God bless you.