By Dr. Kluane Spake

spake@mindspring.com ; www.kluane.org

In this article, we’ll talk about how:

1. Unity is an already existing fact. We need a fundamental and internal change in our thinking to understand that unity already is a present reality.

2. Obtaining unity is the accepting of that which Christ died to achieve. The church belongs to Him.

3. Unity is the fundamental mark of the Church; for without unity, a gathering cannot become a church. Unity is the source of strength, authority, and organization -- whereas dissension and schism are the source of strife and confusion.

4. God expects us, as Christians, to maintain unity in the Church (Matt. 18:15-17). He expects us to act like we believe the Bible is true!

5. It is the charge of apostolic ministry to release and activate this ever-present unity – now upon the body.

CAPITOL ONE:

One night awhile ago, I had a dream about unity. I heard the words “Unity has a CAPITAL ONE.” I awoke with a start -- realizing that the church has “capitalized” on trying to get along with one another… we’ve tried to make things work among ourselves – and nothing has worked. We’ve given importance to the wrong things.

Historically we have had wars (denominational, racial, national, cultural, etc) in and because of the church for centuries. We’ve eradicated thousands upon thousands in pointless battles (both in theological wars and military wars)- because of differences in doctrine. Somehow we’ve never fully understood how to love our fellow man. Because of our narrow mindedness (capitalizing on self), we’ve turned against one another. And so we wonder, how can we recapture that spiritual passion we once excitedly held? Hey…. we’re even divisive about how to have unity!!

Christians have arrogantly clamored in defense of our favorite philosophy and doctrine insisting that it is truth with such supercilious certainty-- that now, even the very notion of truth existing is questioned. Now, there’s no way to even begin to imagine the enormous amount of credibility we’ve lost before the unbelieving world. Our haughty self-righteousness has given credence to the world’s decisions to stay far away from us.

So what can we do? Just making a rule to “have unity” does not put unity into our heart. Today’s mainline rhetoric usually leaves the impression that somehow it can be obtained by focusing on unity itself – we just have to love each other. Or maybe, we can have unity by adapting to current social trends. The most popular suggestion usually is that we could have unity IF we didn’t speak in tongues – (which indeed was the very consequence of unity)! Others continue to insist that unity could happen if we diluted or modified our theology – thereby achieving a wider-ranged consensus.

The Bible insists upon unity — therefore, it must at least be accessible, unless God is merely taunting us. It would be incorrect for us to view this COMMANDMENT as merely a theological generalization with no possibility of practical application. So what do we do? We’re all tired of the lack of unity –

Now, very softly, we begin to hear the Lord telling us that the problem is us. We’re the reason. We’ve forfeited apprehending His “INCARNATION” within us by “IN-CARNALIZING” our own preferred doctrines. We’ve not understood that true unity is an already given gift of God to us who believe. And contained within this gift comes the implication of the necessity to fulfill His purposes and exemplify His character.

Knowing these things, we can look back at the phrase, “Unity has a capital ONE.” Webster’s dictionary defines “capital” as follows:

1. The official seat of government in a political entity, such as a state or nation (or kingdom).
2. First and foremost principal.
3. First-rate; excellent.
4. The most important aspect. The most primary person.
5. Wealth in the form of money or property for use in the production of more wealth. When wealth is used to assist production it is called capital. Resources, funds, principle, and investments.
6. Relating to or being a capital letter.
7. Capitalize – give primary attention to.
8. The top of a column.
9. Of or pertaining to the one in charge.

We can take those definitions above to discover greater meaning in unity! The “capital” ONENESS of unity is found as we look toward God – and not one another. Unity exists because of the ONE Who loves us. Jesus is all that matters. He’s our focus. He is the CAPITOL ONE – the one in charge.

He draws us together unto to Himself. “BY HIM, the whole body is JOINED and HELD TOGETHER by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Eph 4:16 NIV). Jesus is the source of life, the energy, and glue that draws and holds the body TOGETHER. Every member then contributes to the harmonious action of the beautifully sustained body. Nothing is lacking when the members are in their place and functioning.

The story of the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11) tells us how the power of unity – whether focused on good or bad -- will produce forceful results. One language (having common understanding and goals) produces dynamite potential. The principle of the Tower of Babel illustrates the capitalization on STRUCTURAL UNITY – the focus of human organization around a central tower (a physical goal).

However, the New Testament NEVER talks about using specific organizational or outward structure as a means of attaining that unity. The Greek word for church, “ekklesia,” indicates a local congregation or a meeting of people gathered in the presence of the living Lord and NEVER a building. Buildings are fine. But, the focus on STRUCTURAL or outward configurations stifle the potential for true unity. This is a crucial failure in today's fast moving society-oriented churches that have set up so many peripheral goals, rules and regulations, and committees for everything – and have forgotten about God.

The church is all about the aggregate of regenerated people who are saved by their relationship to/with Christ. It’s not about structures. Let’s say it again -- true unity stems solely from focusing upon the realization that we are forgiven by the astonishing and unearned grace of Jesus Christ.

But, for the most part, that focus has not been our main one. We can look at the consequences of EXTERNAL focus and find that our mis-communication (divided tongues = lack of shared vision) have created unseen boundaries, alienated our theologies, and established distracting traditions. The disciples asked, “…what is the sign of the end of the age???” Well, you can look at the answer and know that here we are -- and we live in it – right now.

Jesus answered, Matt 24:10, “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another” NKJV. Right now, this offenses and betrayals have exhausted many of us in our reasoning. While we have sought for unity, we have found ourselves discouraged because of so many unfaithful friendships. Even the slightest offense has the potential to cause distance in ourselves from others. The word “apostasy” means that we fall away – this can be totally or it can be just a little. Many of us have already allowed offenses to limit our perceptions. We’ve failed to decide to not commit apostasy in our heart.

As a church, we’ve been immobilized in this area. Until now. We can see why when studying Galatians. Just as the law was given to keep us under guard (as a tutor to bring us to Christ), we were confined. But the only reason we were limited was because we were immature sons. Now FAITH comes in this area to reveal that we are no longer need to be under a tutor – we are becoming full grown sons (Gal 3:22-25). The revelation of ever-present unity comes to those who are mature (Eph. 4:13). Notice that the brethren dwelling together in unity that was “good and pleasant” (Ps. 133) were LIKE the oil flowing down Aaron’s BEARDED face (bearded – a full grown son). It is here that the LORD commands the blessing-- Life forevermore (vs. 3).

WHAT CAUSED DISUNITY? – (Mk. 3:25):

We need to back track a bit and see what has caused dis-unity in the past.

1). Churches divided because of selfish ambition. 3 John 9 tells us about a man named Diotrephes who wanted to control the church -- “He loved to be first." Therefore, we are reminded to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5) and "in humility consider others better than ourselves (Phil. 2:3). James explained that factions and strife are superficial wisdom, and that wherever envy and strife are evident, every evil work appears.

2). 1 Corinthians 1:12 tells us how the early church divided over human alliances (their favorite teachers and their doctrines (Paul, Apollos, or Peter, etc.). We all have our favorite preachers and points of view – but all of us, I’m sure, will have our theologies corrected as we stand before the Lord. Therefore, we need to live in open heartedness and to see no man except for Christ (1 Cor. 2:2).Our only alliance must be to Jesus Christ.

3). The church divided over differences of race and custom, etc. For them, there WAS male and female, Jew and Greek, and they WERE acting like they were simply “mere men” (1 Cor. 3:3-4). Paul had to tell them how to BEHAVE like Christians because they had not yet learned how to do that. That’s why Paul kept insisting that the great mystery was no divisions in race, status, or gender in the Lord. We need to realize that we’re not defined by our culture or nationality… we’re not our job titles. Our true identity goes far deeper than any of these. We must continually activate our mind and remain conscious of the truth that we are a new creation.

We see the fullness of this truth illustrated in the Antioch prayer group of Acts 13, where a core group of leaders developed into a multi-ethnic taskforce. Of the five mentioned, Simeon and Lucius were black (40%). One was an aristocrat from the Herodian dynasty and one was a Pharisaic Jew. This veritable cross-section of the ancient world was the think tank that apostolically “sent” missionaries to Europe. This group gave Paul his marching orders – and Paul complied.

We must get this truth beyond mental assent and into our being: We must not CAPITALIZE upon our natural heritage. Dissimilar heredity and differences in ceremonial forms do not in the least interfere with unity or authority. There can be no doubt that Christ died for the world -- regardless of their tribal backgrounds or their denominational labels. His blood still unifies us as one nation… one peculiar people (1 Pet. 2:9).

The church must indeed be diverse, but the total realization of unity is not derived from just from merging diversity.

4). Believers divided because of confusion. In the New Testament the word "devil" comes from a Greek word meaning "to throw apart;" it means to separate and divide. Believers must not allow any divisive power to be operative within their lives. Proverbs says God hates those who sow division or discord among the brethren (6:19). Paul orders that we “mark those that sow discord” (Prov. 6:19). In hearing about schisms (bickering and disunity) among the Corinthians, Paul impatiently asked: "Is Christ divided? (I Cor. 1:13).

5). Churches divided when false teachers turned others from the truth (1 Cor. 15:12). And even today, we must practice discernment and not give place to false teachers, but at the same time, our fears of wrong teachings can’t become an excuse for witch hunts and suspicion.

6). Churches divided because of differences of opinion. And although divisions in the early church did arise once in awhile, they were speedily addressed. When believers became bothered about "rules" of behavior (such as the celebration of holidays or whether or not they should eat meat), Paul tells them about the mystery of relationships. (Romans 14 – 1 Cor. 12:20, Col. 2:16-23).

And of this one thing we can be certain –WE WILL ALWAYS experience differences of opinion (Rom. 14:1-4, 22). We cannot take our personal preferences (non essential concepts) and turn them into to mandatory truths that others must agree. Hopefully, our unity doesn’t depend upon our unanimous interpretation of the second coming of Jesus, our particularly insightful viewpoint of the millennium, or what color we should paint the church kitchen.

We will differ. Paul boldly confronted Peter (Gal. 2:20) -- but neither of them broke away to form another church. They understood commitment to the greater good. And, even though Barnabus and Paul sharply disagreed (Acts 15:38, 39), their going different directions brought about good in the kingdom. There will be times when we must disagree – but we must not be disagreeable.

Furthermore, differences of opinion can be a healthy and necessary thing: "For there MUST ALSO BE FACTIONS among you, in order that those who are approved may have become evident among you," (1 Cor. 11:19).

WOW! Leaders “become evident” by how they handle differences.

The fundamental truth of finding unity comes from being Christocentric. As we do that, we find that our behavior towards others changes. This is a subtle distinction from what we’ve been doing – I’m not trying to find unity with you by getting along with you. That’s already proven to be impossible!! As we individually draw near to Him, He draws us together to Himself. Unity comes from loving God -- then, the outpouring of that relationship causes me to treat you properly -- as He would. This means that we no longer need to quarrel about our various opinions. We don’t expect anyone/everyone to agree on every subject. We release others to disagree regarding debatable issues. We listen to -- and respect differences of opinion. And further, we must have liberty regarding the non-essential beliefs. Differences can be a source of wisdom and richness in relationships.

Whenever I am not in agreement with someone else, I must rid myself of obnoxious arguments like: "Well, you have your interpretation, and I have mine." This subtly says, "I’m better than you are” or, “I’m not willing to be with you unless you agree with me." NO. Now, we accept others – no matter what they think or look like! Like Jesus accepts us – even now. Today. Listen, we’re not accepted in the Beloved just because we’re always right and perfectly loveable. Actually, we’re still often ill-mannered, and misdirected. How can we have the audacity and the impudence to reject others because of those same qualities?

Unless we allow others to investigate and challenge our ideas, we’ll always act defensively. A non- aggressive attitude is essential to revealing the unity of the body. The Apostles persistently proclaimed this essential behavior necessary for Christ's Church (I John 4:1-7; 14-15, 20-29; II Peter 2:1-19; Jude 5:19). No longer should we be irritated and speak derogatorily when we hear someone else teach something that conflicts with our doctrine -- even if we think it is totally unbalanced, unbiblical, or just flat dumb!

W e don’t need to stone them; we can just teach a better way… (a way more perfectly Acts 16:26)! That’s possible when we finally realize that God is bigger than any inaccuracy and He knows how to take care of us all. God always takes us from where we are to get us to where we’re going.

WE ARE ONE AS GOD IS ONE:

The Gospel of John tells a lot about the sociological antagonism throughout that era. It was during that time of civil unrest that Jesus prayed his great high priestly prayer. John’s gospel (17:20-26), records these powerful words, “And the glory which You gave Me, I have given them, that they may be one, just as We are one.” This was not a prayer of supplication but a declaration of what is. In understanding this verse, we must not overlook the key to this prayer/decree. The “glory” was given from God to accomplish this task. This ‘glory’ of God was the component that caused the early church to be one. Espousing the GLORY FROM God enables us to make oneness visible. When that happens, the world sees what we have -- and they’ll not be able to resist His glory that rests upon us.

Then, could we ask, “Do we need to pray anymore to get unity???” (Now remember, don’t stone me!)

Jesus continued, “That they BE one as we are one.” The unity that He prayed about was not an ideological notion, but rather a Devine concept spoken as a finished and completed command to achieve a standard: “AS WE ARE.” What we must realize is that the tense of this verse indicates that Jesus said that unity is already a done deal. It is (already) accomplished. We obtained unity within our salvation. It’s a principle like forgiveness for our sins when we were born again. We don’t have to wait. When we receive our salvation, then forgiveness is ours. No more begging and pleading is required. So it is with unity. It’s already accomplished. God will do nothing else to bring it to pass. It’s up to us to capture this truth as our own. AS we become driven by the all consuming present reality of unity — we realize that unity isn’t just a theological discussion. It’s a finished work.

This relationship of ONENESS is the standard example for all Christian relationships – church, marriage, and family. It is the anticipated outcome and demonstration of every association within and between us. This is the intended maturity that God expects from His people (Ephesians 4:13), - "that they may be one as we are one" (John 17:22). Certainly, this decree, said right before His death, didn’t mean that we should substitute church “fellowship” for true unity.

Two other striking observations about this passage: Jesus seldom repeats himself in the Bible, but twice He tells us that we are to embrace the unbelievably profound unity that He shared with His Father (3 times counting Jn 17:11). Twice, the reason given for unity is that the world may believe/know that God sent him -- so that the world will desire to become Christian. This unity for which Christ prayed has visible results -- the church displays herself with consist meaning – and the world responds.

Seizing the understanding of God’s unity is an essential component of the Christian faith – it’s not optional. We must establish a sense of priority to captivate and showforth this oneness within our midst. We can no longer hide – even within the work of the church -- within doing the good work of preaching, evangelism, or feeding the hungry, or healing the sick, and assume that we can avoid what is required of us to embrace and reveal this commandment of UNITY.

The church is a living organism. Our task is to comprehend this POSITIONAL UNITY as being an actuality NOW – we can disclose (in-act) that understanding through our Christlike behavior (Eph 4:1-3) which is based on incontrovertible principles (4:4-6). Only then can our positional unity become EXPERIENTIAL and visible.

This day has fully come, and it is time for this reality to become noticeable; unity resounds from within us (LK. 17:21). It won’t come from further prayer. Unity comes from the revelation that it is ALREADY ours. We are NOW relationally connected in ONENESS. The truth is here – hidden from us, so that we will search it out. We are already sealed together in his promises. We are heirs together in our blessed future. It is “Our (corporate) father.” It is Christ in you (plural). We are the bread, the river, and the ground fragrance of incense.

Unity comes not from knowing “about” Christ but from knowing Him and becoming LIKE Him. As we dare to move out into the deep ocean of His ever proceeding truth, we will be amazed by its vastness and distances beneath the surface. The more we truly comprehend and obey, the more we realize how little we do know (1 Cor. 8:2). Some further examples of oneness are:

John the Baptist spoke with the voice of "one" calling in the desert (Matt. 3:3; Mk. 1:3).

In marriage, the husband and wife are to be joined as "one flesh" (Eph. 5:31).

God has already made all races of humanity “one” (Acts 17:26 NIV).

Those that are joined to the Lord are "one spirit" (1 Cor. 6:17).

If "one" part suffers all suffer… or if one part is honored then all rejoice (1 Cor. 12:26).

We are all "one" in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28).

Jesus caused the two become “one” (Eph. 2:14).

Jesus made "one new man” out of two (Eph. 2:15).

He who sanctifies and we who are sanctified are "all of one" (Heb. 2:11).

By “one” sacrifice, Jesus has perfected us (Heb. 10:14).

"One" sat upon the throne with a crown of gold and a sickle in His hand (Rev. 4:2).

There’ an interesting principle of unification/oneness revealed in the story of the valley full of dry bones (Ez 37). Here, a BODY was becoming re-membered. Bone joined to bone. They weren’t all leg bones. Sameness doesn’t create oneness. Oneness is completion. Wholeness. And so it is today, that the Lord asks us (who differ) the same thing he asked Ezekiel. “Can these bones live?”

Our apprehension of unity gives flesh to our understanding. We must reply, “Lord, you know they can live.” Upon our response, breath comes. The sinews and ligament join TOGETHER. This dry bone over here joins another over there. How interesting that Jesus would break the bread and say, “Eat My flesh” (Jn. 6:54). Upon hearing this statement, many disciples left. But those who stayed to partake, became tabernacles of His flesh. Let us not take the cup and bread together unworthily (not discerning the Lord’s BODY – 1 Cor. 11:29).

But, this time let us -- show forth our intimate and intermingling union with the members of the Church of ONE God. "The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord? For we, being many, are one bread, one body, all that partake of one bread" (I Cor. 10:16-17). It is in doing this that we’re “Re-member-ed.” (Joined together again.) Jesus said, “Do this in re-member-ance of me.” And we begin to consume Christ, we communicate with His unified purpose and vision.

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