What is Biblical Unity?
Biblical unity is a fundamental principle that symbolizes strength, harmony, and spiritual growth of God’s people.
In the Old Testament, unity exemplified the nation of Israel, while the New Testament highlights unity in the Church, or the body of Christ.
The early church demonstrated great power when they were united. Believers gave powerful witness to the resurrection of Christ and saw great signs and wonders done among them in the Name of Jesus.
John 17:21-23 (KJV)
“21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one”
The seven divine Biblical blessings that flow from walking in Unity
- Unity challenges one’s faith and promotes mutual support
Psalm 133:1
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
Unity within the community of believers is regarded as beneficial and desirable, aligning with the expectation that individuals coexist peacefully and provide mutual support to each other.
- 2. God’s Glory is manifested through unity.
John 17:22
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.
Jesus emphasizes the importance of unity among His followers, stating in prayer that believers should be unified as He is with the Father. He addresses this topic by noting the advantages that such unity provides.
- Unity brings peace
Ephesians 4:3 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
We are all part of one body with one hope, one Lord, one faith, and one God. We should therefore preserve this unity.
- Unity eradicates divisions
1 Corinthians 1:10
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
Divisions can be seen as undesirable, while unity is considered important for providing a cohesive and effective message to others.
- Unity promotes the love of God and love unifies everything
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Love is the key virtue that unifies everything.
- Unity acknowledges gifts, strengths and weakness of others
Romans 12:5
So, in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Unity in diversity signifies that every individual has unique value, and collective strength is achieved through mutual reliance and respect for these differences.
- Unity promotes the joy of the Lord
Philippians 2:2
Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
Unity brings joy and completeness. We are all encouraged to cultivate a peaceful and loving community.
Unity in marriage
Christian marriage recognizes the necessity for a godly, Biblical Christian unity.
Genesis 2:24 states: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh”. This verse describes the foundation of marriage as a sacred union where a man prioritizes his new family unit, emotionally and physically leaving his parental home and becoming intimately bonded to his wife, resulting in a profound unity.
This declaration, found in Genesis 2:24 is also found in Matthew 19:5, and Ephesians 5:31.
It signifies a significant shift in loyalty and responsibility, establishing the marital bond as the new family’s central, independent core
Jesus taught us that unity was what the Father’s heart is for His people. In John 15:5 He says,
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
Jesus calls Himself a vine, and He calls us His branches, both of which are pieces of a whole. In nature, there doesn’t exist healthy, thriving branches floating around. Rather, what is seen are healthy, thriving branches connected to the main stem of a plant or trunk of a tree, which is rooted with a strong foundation. If there are branches that are found in nature, disconnected and alone, it is either dead or in the process of decaying.
Do not be convinced that you can live alone or you are better alone. Not only is fellowship with your spouse an incredible benefit to the refining of your marriage relationship, but it is also where you and your spouse will discover an extraordinary opportunity to serve and love others in Christ through the ministry of your marriage.
Refuse the enemy’s tricks to bring discord and isolate you
One way Satan destroys our effectiveness especially in ministry is to convince us that we don’t need others in our lives. The devil knows that when believers get together, pray and walk together, they will strike blows into his kingdom.
When we are alone, we are his (Satan) playmate. He plays with our mind to act ungodly.
As we walk in unity with members of the body of Christ, we become stronger and less vulnerable to enemies’ attack. Why? Because when people walk closely with each other, they can agree in prayer for each other and therefore providing security for each other.
Walking alone and isolating from the Body brings insecurity. The Bible says in Proverbs 27:17 that “iron sharpens iron”
This verse is written by Solomon. It uses the analogy of two pieces of iron rubbing together to become sharper and more refined to illustrate how positive relationships can improve and strengthen individuals. We know the benefits of iron sharpening iron. We know the intrinsic value of being needed and being provided for. We know the good that comes from being known, and we are no longer afraid of it.