One Body: Unity & Honour In Diversity
Unity of the Church — the Body Of Christ is perhaps one of the most important things we must achieve in this end times in order to fully achieve the reconciliation of the world back to God and usher in the 2nd Coming of Christ.
Most of my life, I had always thought unity had to do with just “forgiving and letting go” and “accepting people as they are”. I also thought, unity in Christian fold was only this. While this is a huge part of unity, I have further discovered that Unity of the Body has a very direct relationship with full understanding and proper engagement with the diversity of gifts and calling of the members of the Body, through the proper administration of love. I have also seen that true unity is unity in purpose. When we all want the same thing, we pay less attention to differences. The absence of joint purpose will highlight differences because everyone has differing agendas no matter how noble the intention.
Key parts of the Pauline letters that talk about Unity of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthian 12 and Ephesians 4) non-coincidentally speak about the gifts.
The True Church
Before we go deeper, its good to briefly highlight and reinforce what some of us may already know. The Church is the spiritual Body of Christ — and the Kingdom of God. It is spiritual and not physical (Luke 17:20–21). It is good to differentiate this from physical institutions, organizations and “local churches” on earth. A good number of earthly “churches” are helping to build believers and a committed to truth of God’s word but not all. As such, its good to have that mental distinction. So if your local church and its members believes in the Bible and the leadership of the Spirit and Word of God as rightly taught in the Bible, then yes, its members are part of the Body of Christ and the Kingdom of God is alive within them.
Members with Gifts
Most local churches operate primarily with the “Pastor(s) and Members” distinction. Its a “Leader(s) and Followers” kind of structure. While this is understandable and leadership is necessary but we also have to fully understand the greater nature of the Body of Christ and its unique structure and ensure natural leadership does not stifle the operation of the Body of Christ.
Having a fully optimized “Leader(s) and Followers” / “Pastor(s) and Members” structure is good for organizational efficiency of local churches. However, we must not forget the “Many Members, One Body” structure of our Spiritual Church over whom Christ is the Head and He has given not only the “Pastor” but a whole gamut of member gifts who but not only be acknowledged but actively honored so that there is no division within the Body and so that the Body can grow, mature and operate efficiently.
12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed — united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life]. 14 For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? … 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. … 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; 23 and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it. — 1 Corinthians 12:12–26 (Amplified, with authors emphasis)
And so, for the (spiritual) Body, God has given “…first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28, Amplified)
We must be so aligned so that organizational leadership structure does not stifle spiritual leadership of apostles and elders (Acts 15:6), must not stifle God’s speaking to prophets and teachers (Acts 13:1) nor stifle Paul’s gift to say things which may be hard to hear but which are necessary for the edification of the Church (2 Peter 3:15–16).
Honour of Members
There is the honour of Leadership (Pastors and all that have been set above us). This has severally been taught and the negative implications of its absence. There is also the honor of Members. Absence of this will cause schism (i.e. division).
A lot of churches have adopted a top-heavy ministry structure where so much emphasis, recognition, resources and attention is given to just Pastors and Leaders. This has resulted in many negative and public consequences.
Spiritually, leadership is about giving life FOR OTHERS. The gifts of the Spirit are for “THE PROFIT OF ALL”. As such I believe, leadership and resources must be ALL dedicated for the purpose of all members being taught, equipped, matured and recognized and grow “…into Him who is the Head — Christ”. Once this is in place, we can jointly supply what each other need and be able to take marching orders from Christ, the Head.
Administration of Love
27 Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. 28 So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love]. — 1 Corinthians 12:27–31 (Amplified, with authors emphasis)
Proper understanding and administration of gifts in the Body is best and most accurately achieved. This is why Paul dedicated the next and entire 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians to explaining why this is non-negotiable.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not [a]love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. 2 And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing. 3 If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all. 4 Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. 5 It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. 7 Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. — 1 Corinthians 13:1–7 (Amplified, with authors emphasis)
The Great Commission and Ministry of Reconciliation that has been entrusted to us can only come to life through love.
19 We love, because He first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him. — 1 John 4:19–21 (Amplified, with authors emphasis)
35 Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages [in Galilee], teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness [His words and His works reflecting His Messiahship]. 36 When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion and pity for them, because they were dispirited and distressed, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is [indeed] plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” — Matthew 9:35–38 (Amplified, with authors emphasis)
6 For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love. 7 You were running [the race] well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth? … 13 For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the [e]sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another. 14 For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” 15 But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another.— Galatians 5:6,7,13–15 (Amplified, with authors emphasis)
His workers must love. His workers must have compassion. His faith works through love.
14 So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. 15 But speaking the truth in love [in all things — both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head — Christ. 16 From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love. — Ephesians 4:14–16 (Amplified, with authors emphasis)
We must also note that love is not always soft. There is tolerance and there is also “lack of tolerance (for error)” in love. As parents try to flush our error in children, the church must also flush out error and not tolerate it once it is discovered not to be truth.
Unity of Purpose
Harmony is bliss and crucial to us as the Body of Christ. The enemy targets this with all he has to ensure we do not achieve harmony.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil [of consecration] poured on the head, Coming down on the beard, Even the beard of Aaron, Coming down upon the edge of his [priestly] robes [consecrating the whole body]. 3 It is like the dew of [Mount] Hermon
Coming down on the hills of Zion; For there the Lord has commanded the blessing: life forevermore. — Psalm 133 (Amplified, with authors emphasis)
Being united is hard, if there is no clear understanding of where we are going, what we are doing and why we are doing it. However, the clear presence and understanding (of where we are going, what we are doing and why we are doing it) itself helps eliminate a huge part of discord. So unity is appropriately unity of purpose.
Being married helps us understand this better. While a man and woman may have differences of personality and opinion, the aim, memory and reward of achieving jointly appealing objectives makes our differences pale and deemed to be worthy of ignoring.
This is also true of even work and career. We have bosses and colleagues that are so different but we ignore and tolerate their peculiarities because we are achieving wonderful results. Lack of purpose breeds busy-bodies.
So to foster unity, there most be a focus on 3 things:
- Foster definition, clarification, edification and doctrine of our purpose and objectives per time in the most plain way possible;
- Recognize and delegate responsibility according to calling, gifting, capacity and maturity and encourage them to run;
- Appreciate and honor the uniqueness and success of the many members of the Body.
The above unites us and knits us together to the Glory of Christ!
With God’s Love and Mine
