Church Unity

"Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments” (Psalm133:1,2.) 

The anointing of oil in the Old Testament can be seen as a forerunner to the anointing of the Holy Spirit in the New; therefore it is not an unlikely assumption that church unity has a bearing on the presence or anointing of the Holy Spirit within a congregation.

 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

This commandment was given by Jesus to His followers. Love for each other would be their witness for Him to the world. Not eloquent teaching, or stirring worship or impressive buildings or programs or the texts on our walls or the crosses around our necks, although some of these things may display that love.

Paul reemphasizes this point in his famous passage:

 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

How do we display love amongst the fellowship of believers?

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:12,13)

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31, 32)

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8)

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:19-23)

Make no mistake, church hurt is a deliberate device of Satan, who is always at work in Christian communities to disrupt and divide. He attacks all relationships that should be effective witnesses for Christ- marriages, families, ministries and Christian organisations. The results are weakening of relationships, offence, the loss to the Christian community of disillusioned pastors and lay persons and the pointing finger of those in the world ready to accuse the church of hypocrisy.

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Matthew 6:27).

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:15-17)

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14)

My personal recommendation for those who are finding it difficult to know how to pray for those who have hurt them in a church congregation is to confess your own feelings honestly to God and to ask for His grace to enable You to do His will in relation to the people who have caused the hurt. A reasonable request to make of God is to ask Him to help the other/s concerned to have a greater understanding of God’s ways, so they will grow more deeply in their faith and relationship with Him. This, after all is something that we should desire for all our fellow Christians as well as ourselves.

We should also pray that we ourselves do not become someone who will cause divisions or disruptions in the body and hinder church unity. We need to ask God to reveal to us our own attitudes and behaviours which can do this.

“Provoke not the holy, blessed Spirit of God to withdraw His presence and His gracious influences. The body will be redeemed from the power of the grave at the resurrection day. Wherever that blessed Spirit dwells as a Sanctifier, He is the earnest of all the joys and glories of that redemption day; and we should be undone, should God take away His Holy Spirit from us.” (Matthew Henry’s Concise Bible Commentary, notes on Ephesians 4:29-32)