The Bible reveals the heart of our unity

The experience of Christian unity is a joyous and fulfilling one.  It is the gift of God to his children. When we become Christians we are united together in Christ, blessed with the same Holy Spirit, and trusting in the same heavenly Father.

Christian unity transcends the divisions of our world, whether of class, gender, wealth or denomination.  The experience of being able to relate to another person at a deep level even though we have just met them, and to share together in prayer, is a common and wonderful one.

Of course, our sin frequently disturbs this rich gift.  Although we are redeemed, we are not yet redeemed from our sinful natures.  As a result, even within the Christian fellowship, our relationships are far from perfect.  We let each other down, we do not tell the whole truth, we gossip, and we act with less than justice. The very fact that Christian fellowship is such a privilege also makes the dissension within that unity extremely painful. 

In the Bible we are told to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”. Unity is both a gift and an obligation.

The Apostle Paul exhorts us to have the attitudes which will build up other people and will maintain the unity.  He talks about humility, gentleness, patience and love. Indeed, he talks about “bearing with one another in love” which assumes that our love will often be put to the test. And he reminds us of the source of our unity – “there is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, that is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:1-6). 

These attitudes of heart and mind are relevant in all relationships, but they are especially relevant in the relationship we have with the brothers and sisters in the Church.

The unity we have as Christians is very beneficial to us. It is part of the growing process by which we become more like the Lord Jesus. The Apostle tells us to use our gifts wisely to build each other up, “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13).

The benefit goes beyond that, however. The unity of Christians is a testimony to the world of the power of the gospel.  When we speak ill of each other, or worse, quarrel publicly, we are bringing dishonour to the Lord’s name. 

In order to avoid this, we certainly must be conscious of the New Testament’s teaching on forgiveness. The Apostle, likewise, says “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32). 

Unfortunately, in this life we will often offend each other. Sometimes these offences are grave enough to warrant discipline.  But as the Lord Jesus himself taught us, that discipline involves a private approach in the first instance, and an evident love for the person who has offended.

Doctrinal matters are often difficult to deal with. Here we are to “speak the truth in love”. It is also good to maintain a sound perspective on the nature of differences. Some differences are trivial but receive far too much attention because of the closeness of the people involved.

Other differences are of a highly significant nature and need to be understood accurately. In due course they may lead to people parting company over matters of high principle. Even when this occurs, however, obligation to love others is still in place, and it should be evident from our speech that division is painful while respect for the other person is maintained. 

In the present state of world Anglicanism the matters which have caused such turbulence are, without doubt, highly significant.  They have already led to disengagement and disunity. This sometimes must happen. But the way in which we behave while such sad events occur will reflect our capacity to love others, and this should continue to be our obligation.

In short, practise unity, maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; have the character and characteristics of a person who loves unity; serve one another; speak the truth in love; where discipline is warranted take any action with sadness and in love; where doctrinal division is to occur seek reconciliation in the long term based on truth as well as love.

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