Unity: Harmony and Agreement in Christ

Unity necessitates some sort of relationship, with each party built up by positively working together for a common goal, and each being enriched through the ongoing compatibility and bonding that develops between them. This article looks at what the Bible says about unity: why it matters, how it is built and maintained, and where it must yield to truth.

Unity in Christ

All believers in Christ are united with Christ and with one another. The Bible declares, "Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 Jn 4:20,21). Just as our bodies function through the numerous parts working together, so each believer in the body of Christ should outwork their giftings for the common good (Rom 12:4-5; Eph 4:11-13; Col 2:2). As believers we are “all one in Christ”, with the same overall goal and agreement in the essentials of the faith. Our purpose is to glorify God and help make disciples of all nations (Ps 34:3; Mt 28:19-20; Mk 9:40; 1 Cor 3:6-8).

Achieving and maintaining unity requires hard work

This doesn’t mean there won’t be disagreements and conflicts – where people work closely together they are inevitable, because each person brings different views, methods and approaches to the task. The mark of unity is not the absence of conflict but how it is handled: differences aired openly and graciously, hopefully ending in reconciliation, rather than suppressed and left to harden into resentment. Through that diversity of expressions there will be cohesion as each person is committed to work for the overall good and to find the best solution rather than to defend their own position (Eph 4:4-6). Disagreement explored in this way often produces a better outcome than any individual could have reached alone, because ideas are tested and refined rather than simply imposed. A common objective spurs people on, achieving a multiplied effect beyond the sum of the individuals involved.

The Bible stresses that we should “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” and demonstrate love, so strive for the dynamic power and impetus of unity (Lev 26:8; Deut 32:30; Prov 30:27; Lk 23:18,21,23; Col 3:14). God’s comment about a people who had one heart and language (a common purpose, literally saying the same thing), was “Nothing will be impossible to them” (Gen 11:5-6). God blesses the harmonious relationships of Christians being “one in heart and mind” while demonstrating godly lifestyles (Ps 133:1,3).

Building and Maintaining Unity

Lasting unity is built through deliberate, ongoing effort. Begin by establishing a clear, concise goal and communicating it well, so everyone is fully informed and of the same mind – the effectiveness of a team results from everyone being focused on the same goal (Neh 4:6; Prov 29:18). Value the strengths of others: by working together, our weaknesses can be compensated for by the strengths of others with whom we are also in accountability (Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:21-22). Deal with disagreement early and graciously, speaking the truth in love rather than letting grievances fester (Eph 4:15,26).

How can I improve my working relationships with others?

Guard against personal attacks. Never attack the personalities of others involved or this will be to the detriment of the harmony needed to find the best way to deal with the task. Be joined with other Christians to fight the devil, not united with the devil to oppose and attack other believers, for together we stand, divided we fall. Jesus stated a divided house [kingdom, marriage or business entity] cannot stand; its success relies on harmony (Mt 12:25). Each part has to work properly together, otherwise the functioning of the whole is impaired and vulnerable to further attack (Eph 4:16).

Unity Among Believers and Churches

Christians should not quarrel but be unified around a common understanding of truth. Unity in Christ allows for individual churches and denominations to keep their distinctiveness and emphases while still working together in areas where they agree, displaying the power of the gospel and the applicability of its saving message to all (Gal 3:26-28). As fellow believers we should be speaking with one voice that glorifies God (Rom 15:5-6). The Holy Spirit within all believers is the foundation stone of our unity as we reflect the grace Christ has shown us to others (Eph 4:3; 1 Pet 3:8). The Trinity provides our model of perfect unity and demonstrates that unity is not uniformity. Unity is only truly appreciated when people work together shoulder to shoulder.

Jesus prayed that all His followers would be of one heart and mind, in love and common purpose, so the world would know that God had sent Him and understand the Father loves them as much as God loves Him (Jn 17:11,21-23). “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (Jn 13:35). He also said, “Anyone who is not against Me is for Me”, so do not hastily condemn or oppose a particular ministry or person until you have seen some of its fruit (Lk 6:44; Act 5:39).

May God give us a spirit of unity

When Unity Must Yield to Truth

However, unity is not to be pursued when it detracts from the truth that is in Christ. We are told to separate from professing Christians who live in persistent, unrepentant sin and from those who teach false doctrine (Mt 18:15-17; 1 Cor 5:1-2; Rev 2:14-15).

Truth is never to be traded away for the sake of peace

Destructive division is caused through self-centred desires, jealousy, pride, unforgiveness, criticism, worldliness and the differing goals and agendas of individualism. Alternatively, love, accountability, encouragement, honour, acceptance, forgiveness, tolerance, support and having a common godly purpose are unity builders, as we consider others, giving up our own rights in humble submission yet all the while fulfilling our responsibilities as we adhere to the truth (Eph 4:2; Phil 2:1-11).

Constructive criticism and accountability build unity; negative gossip tears it down. Such criticism is spoken directly and privately to the person concerned, for their benefit and the good of the whole – it is a loving act of accountability in which willing hearts are open to correction, because in the multitude of counsellors there is safety, and iron sharpens iron (Prov 11:14; Prov 27:17; Gal 6:1). By contrast, negative complaining – criticising others behind their backs, venting frustration, and recruiting sympathizers – destroys fellowship. It has no redemptive purpose: it spreads like fire through kindling, separates close friends and grieves the Holy Spirit (Prov 16:28, 26:20-22; Eph 4:29-31). The test is simple: am I speaking to the person to build them up, or about the person to pull them down?

Unity in Action: Biblical Examples

The early church shared everything in common so that no one was in need, meeting together with glad and sincere hearts – and in that atmosphere of unity the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35). That shared life became the church’s most powerful testimony to the watching world.

Nehemiah’s builders stood shoulder to shoulder to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall – half worked while the other half stood guard, each builder holding a weapon in one hand (Neh 4:6, 16-21). Refusing to be diverted by discouragement, they finished the work in fifty-two days, and even their enemies recognised it had been done with the help of God (Neh 6:9, 15-16).

The body of Christ: Jew and Gentile, slave and free, are made one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28). The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you” – if one part suffers, every part suffers with it, and as each part does its work the whole body grows and builds itself up in love (1 Cor 12:12-27; Eph 4:16).

Unity in Marriage

Marriage models unity: a man and woman, though different physically, psychologically and emotionally, complement each other and provide a model for their family. Loving submission according to God’s authority structure produces respect, honour and harmony – far easier on the emotions than the infighting and forced submission that disunity brings (Rom 12:10; Eph 5:21-6:9). The golden rule of doing to others as we would have them do to us is basic to harmonious relationships: “Can two walk together unless they agree?” asked the Lord (Amos 3:3; Lk 6:31). That is why Paul said a believer should not marry an unbeliever (2 Cor 6:14-16).

Can two walk together unless they agree? – Amos 3:3

Reflection and Application

Where is God calling me to pursue a shared goal with others rather than my own agenda this week?
Is my criticism of others direct, private and for their benefit – or a complaint behind their back?
Is there someone I need to forgive, or ask forgiveness of, so that unity can be restored?
What truth am I tempted to trade away for the sake of peace?