That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. - John 17:21
For example I will explain the point and direction of the question.
The greatest power God's children have over darkness is unity. Jesus talked a great deal about His oneness with the Father and the importance of unity in the Body of Christ. It is the most difficult command Jesus gave to the Church, because it wars against the most evil aspect of our sin nature--independence.
In the last days we are seeing God's Spirit convict His children of the lack of unity among His Church. We are seeing God move between blacks and whites, ethnic groups, denominations, and parachurch groups. There is much work to be done. The walls of division and competition among His Body are a stench in God's nostrils.
2007-10-18 05:33:16 · 13 answers · asked by ? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
. He sees the competition and the pride of ownership and weeps for the lost who cannot come to Him because they cannot see Him in His Body. When His Body is one, the unbelieving see that Jesus was sent by God. It is like a supernatural key that unlocks Heaven for the heathen soul. The key is in the hand of Christ's Church.
When there is unity, there is power. Scripture tells us five will chase 100, but 100 will chase 10,000 (see Lev. 26:8). There is a dynamic multiplication factor in unity of numbers. We are a hundred times more effective when we are a unified group. Imagine what God could do with a unified Church.
Jesus prayed that we all might be one, as the Father and He are one. He wanted the same love God has for Jesus to be in each of us. When this love is in us, we are drawn to each other with a common mission. The walls fall down.
2007-10-18 05:33:27 · update #1
The independent spirit is broken. Competition is destroyed. Satan's accusations are thwarted. Our love for each other is manifest to the world around us. Lost souls begin to seek this love that is so foreign to them.
Have you contributed to an independent spirit within His Body? Are you seeking to break down walls of competition among Christians, churches, denominations, and ethnic groups? Until we walk in the spirit of unity, we will hinder others. Pray for His Church to be unified.
2007-10-18 05:33:41 · update #2
Some denominations emphasize slight doctrinal differences, but more often they simply offer different styles of worship to fit the differing tastes and preferences of Christians. But make no mistake: we, as believers, must be of one mind on the essentials of the faith, but beyond that there is great deal of latitude in how a Christian should worship in a corporate setting. This latitude is what causes so many different “flavors” of Christianity. The Presbyterian Church of Mbale, Uganda, has a style of worship much different from the Presbyterian Church of Denver, but their doctrinal stand is the same. Diversity is a good thing, but disunity is not. If two churches disagree doctrinally, debate and dialogue over the Word may be called for. This type of “iron sharpening iron” (Proverbs 27:17) is beneficial to all. If they disagree on style and form, however, it is fine for them to remain separate. This separation, though, does not lift the responsibility Christians have to love one another (1 John 4:11-12) and ultimately be united as one in Christ (John 17:21-22).
Christ and His church is all about your relationship to Him and to each other. As believers, there are certain basic doctrines that we must believe, but beyond that there is latitude on how we can serve and worship; it is this latitude that is the only good reason for denominations. This is diversity and not disunity. The first allows us to be individuals in Christ, the latter divides and destroys.
Recommended Resource: The Master's Plan for the Church by John MacArthur.
2007-10-18 07:48:25 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes.
As long as some fundamentalists preach disunity under the heading of anti-universalism, and exclusion rather than the love Jesus taught us, then sin will keep us from coming together in unity as the Body of Christ on Earth, as God wants us to do.
Definitely, pray for the Church to be united in peace.
2007-10-18 12:36:38 · answer #2 · answered by Acorn 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there should be unity in the Body Of Christ! What a great question, Newman! The basic foundation of Christianity should be the thing that unites all Christians!
May the Lord bless you!
2007-10-20 05:03:11 · answer #3 · answered by Marie 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I believe unity DEFINITELY strengthens the Body of Christ. Unity also strengthens the country. Ever since "celebrate diversity" started being chanted, America has been in trouble and on the skids. Unity was what made America great in the very beginning!
God bless you!
2007-10-18 12:40:17 · answer #4 · answered by Devoted1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In reality we are united as the Bride of Christ. The same way our big toe is as much a part of our body as our nose is. The problem comes when the big toe tells the nose that it is not part of the body because it does not help the body walk. Then the nose fires back that the toe is not part of the body because it does not smell things. We can bicker and whine all we wish. In the end we are still a body. Harmony would make our stay here on this cursed planet much nicer though.†
2007-10-18 13:01:50 · answer #5 · answered by Bye Bye 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We're to be of One Mind & One Accord. Not to be tolerant of things that don't line up with God's word. Jesus was a Peacemaker,not a peacekeeper. I think the over-all church has become a stench In God's nostrils ! Because most are more concerned with church attendance and traditions of men amd man's doctrines/teachings,Instead of what God's word has to say. Therefore making the word of God of no effect.
It's ALL about Jesus and the word of God. Nothing else !
2007-10-20 18:40:05 · answer #6 · answered by Isabella 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think the bickering and fighting that goes on over Christian doctrine is the worst possible witness. There are certain things that one must believe to be a Christian. Beyond that, we are human and will always disagree. It is our nature.
There should be room to discuss scripture, what it means, but this tearing each other apart, telling people they will go to hell because they disagree with you over some verses must be heart breaking to Jesus.
We will all answer to the Lord for our actions.
[Edit: I have to acknowledge that I am not always the picture I would like to be. I have my own mote.]
2007-10-18 12:42:47 · answer #7 · answered by cmw 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes,we are all one body but different parts,and we all need each other to become one in Christ,and psalm 91:7though a thousand may fall at your side though 10,000 are dying all around you these evils will not touch you,thats why we need each other to there is power in numbers ,prayer agreement
2007-10-18 20:29:52 · answer #8 · answered by God Child 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think against Gods better judgment Man made religion. & if God had his way we would be walking in unity with out any form of religious affiliations just a love for god & mankind.
2007-10-18 13:03:30 · answer #9 · answered by villhelm 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is only 1 church, the Body of Christ, with Jesus as the head.
Over and above being brothers and sisers adopted into God's family, all of personkind is created by God, and He loves us all!!!
The bible says "God IS love!"
Jesus said LOVE others (with no exceptions)
He taught His disciples, "When you give to the least of these, you have done it unto me" PG
2007-10-18 22:58:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋