The Importance of Unity

Unity, it is the knots in the net, and the ligaments and tendons in the Body of Christ. It is what keeps things woven together in one. It is what keeps things from being isolated. Without it, nothing could come together to form something greater. To say unity is needed is a mere understatement. Unity is absolutely key for us, the believers.
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10.
So, why is it bad to not be in unity? When the Body of Christ, which is God’s people, aren’t together in unison and fellowship, people will become isolated and separated. While there are times in which God will bring you into a place of isolation for specific times and growth, this is a different type of isolation for this harms us. If you are isolated from God and His people not staying in good fellowship, then you aren’t really a threat to the enemy. Why? It is because our authority and power come from God and we aren’t in alignment with Him, then that flow is hindered thus rendering us not really a threat to the enemy. It is a lot easier to cut a single-stranded cord than a many-stranded cord. When you isolate yourself, you have no one to watch your back but rather you are vulnerable from many directions. It is like a game of chess. In chess, if you have a piece separated from other pieces, that separated piece isn’t a threat but an opportunity for the opponent to snag it. Don’t give the enemy an opportunity to strike because he will take it and then leap another mile past it. Now then, how will the enemy attack the unity of the Body of Christ? Through divisions caused by bitterness, unforgiveness, strife, envy, jealousy, coveting, or anything that puts a wall between you and another person in God’s family.
“But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” – Matthew 12:26.
Jesus knew that divisions would lead to the collapse of anything that comes together. You could have a perfectly knit-together net, but all it takes is a couple of knots to come loose for it to have a gapping wide hole rendering it completely useless to catch fish or something. In the same way, even a little division can go a long way in destroying things built. Even a small heated disagreement left unkept and festering can grow into a dispute that destroys relationships, friendships, and even ministries.
“That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.” – 1 Corinthians 12:25.
What do divisions in the Body of Christ look like? Divisions and such are practically amputations to the Body of Christ given their severity. When you form bitterness and unforgiveness or such against another, you amputate yourself away from that other part in the Body of Christ. What is happening right now in the church is that many upon many people are so divided that we lack unity in large measures due to these small little matters that remain undealt with. When you amputate yourself from the body, that amputated part loses its life support from the blood which carries oxygen to it. Therefore, that part simply withers and dies off. If we aren’t careful, the enemy will use that isolation that we inflicted on ourselves to cause us to wither and diminish in our walks with God and our relationships with other believers. How sad! It is quite difficult for a body to function if it is missing countless parts! It loses its most basic and vital functions.
“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:26.
Another interesting thing about the Body of Christ is that whatever happens to one happens to us. What that means is if the people of God suffer in one area, the rest will also suffer with it because that is our people, and we care for each other. Or if we hear of victory in another area then we rejoice for we are one people under one kingdom which is God’s Kingdom with Him ruling and leading it. Therefore, when you isolate and amputate yourself from the Body of Christ, others will feel that impact too. You not only hurt yourself but those around you too. A dispute may not only sow division in your life but the life of the one you affected which in turn may spread to others that you gossip to.
“Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” – 1 Corinthians 1:12-13.
Paul points out a very big issue to the Corinthians here. They were divided because they had favorites and different teachers and such. Unfortunately, this is a common issue today. From dominations, traditions, cultures, and different beliefs regarding a verse, it has caused more division than unity within the church. This is a real problem and at some point, we all need to get over it and get together as a family. Families don’t hold a grudge and never want anything to do with a member of that family because of something. Rather, they love each other regardless of what one believes or may have done. Yet, here we are, the family of God, so divided that we cannot even stand looking at one another. Yes, we are all different and we have many things that make us a widely diverse people.
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6.
From spiritual gifts, giftings, callings, and cultures, to all these different factors. However, it was through the blood of Christ that we may come together in unison as one family and one Kingdom for God to complete the assignment we have all been given. Put disagreements to the side, put these diversities to the side. Why can’t we just all come together in the same love Christ had for us? Jesus didn’t look at people for their differences but showed them the same love regardless of them. Tax collectors, sinners, and people with leprosy who were considered unclean. He fellowshipped with these people and loved them deeply. How many of us could do the same to those who are despised of this world or those who have done us wrong in every manner possible? That is real love; to care for one another and be in unity regardless of what they may have done for we all realize that we are family and family sticks together like glue. There is a reason the enemy so strongly attacks the glue that keeps us together which is unity. The enemy knows that if he can simply cut us apart we couldn’t accomplish the mission Jesus gave us. The most vital part of an army is the communication line for without it, there wouldn’t be an army but a disarray and a mess of soldiers running around in panic not understanding what is happening nor what to do to combat it. So overall, let us get over ourselves and what someone may have done to us. Jesus was betrayed and denied by those He loved and walked with. Yet, through it all, He still loved them and considered them His family because that is what family does. They don’t give up on each other but turn the other cheek to live from the unwounded side towards each other. Love is the key and will always be the key to reestablishing unity with each other when division occurs. Let us walk and fellowship together as the family of God despite our differences or diversities.
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing, with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:1-3.