The Power of Unity

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 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 17:20-21).

In this beautiful passage of scripture, our Lord is praying for us. In verses 1-5 of John’s gospel, Jesus prays for Himself. In verses 6-19, Jesus prays for His disciples; those with whom He has ministered for three years. In verses 20-26, He prays for all believers, those yet to believe, in future times, which of course includes us.

I know I have read this portion of scripture many, many times throughout the years. However, what especially caught my attention upon reading this again recently was the emphasis He places on the power of unity to initiate belief in Christ; “That the world may believe that Thou didst send me.”

Again in verse 23, John re-emphasizes that as a result of observing true unity among believers, as exampled through the intimacy of relationship between the Father and the Son, “...the world may know that Thou didst send Me and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me.”

Unity among believers is one of the most powerful forces to convince the world of the reality of Christ! Is it any wonder then that one of the areas Satan most attacks is unity among believers?

I recently was engaged in conversation with a dear brother in Christ, with whom I am sure I would have some doctrinal differences. I worship at a more reformed Baptist church; he attends a somewhat more charismatic church. However, we both believe and have firm agreement in the main doctrinal truths such as the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross, the inerrancy and sufficiency of scripture, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit within our bodily lives, the doctrines of Heaven, Hell, sin, regeneration, the Triune Godhead, and many more “top tier” doctrines.

We are both members of the same “Body of Christ” and thus we should share a unity that convinces the skeptical observer of the reality of God and of His Son, Jesus.

It seems where the problems arise is when individuals or denominations try to make second or third tier doctrinal issues the “main thing.” I am tempted to articulate some lesser doctrinal concepts that have arisen throughout the years, often from misinterpretation or misrepresentation of scripture, but I fear it might only stir up some disunity.

I think you know what I’m talking about though. Sometimes there are ideas or concepts that scripture presents in minimal proportion, but then some take those lesser prioritized ideas or concepts and elevate them to a top priority status. This is almost always problematic.

When I was in Bible College I had a professor who taught a class on how to develop and preach sermons. His name was Professor Snow. He reminded me a little of “Floyd the barber” on the old Andy Griffith show. He was rather soft spoken, had a little mustache, and often spoke with his head and eyes glancing upward in a rather heavenly fashion.

One day he said to us, “Gentlemen, when you’re preaching in the coming years ahead, make sure you place great emphasis on those things that scripture greatly emphasizes. And likewise, spend less time and emphasis on those things that scripture emphasizes less.” What simple yet profound wisdom!

Tension between denominations (even within denominations) and individuals is so often the result of doctrinal differences. We build up our doctrinal defenses, sling our doctrinal arrows at one another, and then wonder why more onlookers don’t want to enlist in the Lord’s Army!

I’m not sure many have been won to Christ or encouraged in the Lord because of someone “winning” a doctrinal argument. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

Recently, I read a wonderful quote by Oswald Chambers:  “The Lord Jesus Christ must be presented to sinners. The Spirit of God will guide you, as you rely on Him, to the presentation of Him that is required for each sinner. But, if you attempt to enclose Jesus Christ into neat little doctrinal packages, one marked “salvation,” another marked “sanctification,” another marked “the baptism of the Holy Spirit,” you will fail to convince sinners that they need Him. In every case, we need to rely on the Holy Spirit.”

I love that quote from Chambers. I firmly believe we should study the word diligently, read the words of great men and women of God, to develop sound doctrine and ascertain correct theology. However, in the final analysis, LOVE wins the day!

I’ve often said that when “we all get to Heaven” as the old hymn says, there will be this great sit down orientation moment before we take the tour, and Jesus will say to us, “You were all wrong about a few things, and you were all right about some things.”

But, I’m pretty sure the main thing will be the love of God toward us, our love of Jesus, His Son, and our love for one another realized and expressed through The Power of Unity. 

 In Christ,

Dallas Holm