Unity
How I long for oneness. God does even more. Jesus prayed, “that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me,” John 17:21. Do you see how intricately unity is tied to success in reaching the world with the truth? Oneness is essential in order “that the world may believe” that Jesus is the Christ!
Take note of the first church. They were characterized by unity…and by phenomenal conversion growth. (underlines and bold is placed to emphasize the connection between unity and conversion growth)
Acts 2:43-47 43 And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The Lord wants to do the same for us today. He’s waiting for us to become unified. He wants to do a new thing, but longs for us to put aside our differences for the sake of His Kingdom. He wants us to “offer our bodies (and everything associated with them) as living sacrifices, acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service of worship,” Romans 12:1. The things that REALLY matter for us are the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. We can work the rest out in the spirit of oneness, but let us not rebuff God’s blessing on this ministry for anything we may want for ourselves. May we never hinder the unrestricted flow of the Holy Spirit among us. Never fail to promote unity, the key to God’s unreserved blessing and favor upon us.
He is waiting to “add to our number day by day those who are being saved”.