In a world often marked by division and discord, the call to unity among believers rings out as a beacon of hope. Just as individual Lego pieces come together to form incredible structures, so too are followers of Christ called to unite in beautiful diversity to create something remarkable – the body of Christ.
The foundation of this unity lies in our shared calling. As believers, we are all called first and foremost to Christ. This calling goes beyond vocational ministry; it’s a radical reorientation of our lives to conform to Jesus’ teachings and example. Walking “in a manner worthy of the calling” means living out our faith in practical, everyday ways guided by Jesus’ commands to love God and love others.
But how do we live out this calling in a way that fosters unity? Five key characteristics emerge:
1. Humility: This outward posture towards others is essential for Christlike living. Humility isn’t thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. It’s about looking beyond our own interests to seek the good of others, just as Christ did in emptying himself to become human for our sake.
2. Gentleness: Often translated as “meekness,” this quality is strength under control. It’s treating all people with respect and dignity, recognizing that each person is created in God’s image. Gentleness uses our strength, influence, and privilege for the benefit of others rather than to overpower them.
3. Patience: This challenging virtue often develops through difficult circumstances. Patience is particularly crucial when dealing with those who frustrate us. It requires us to let go of our desire for everything to happen on our terms and timeline.
4. Bearing with one another in love: We all encounter difficult people, but love is the key to dealing with them. As 1 Peter 4:8 reminds us, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” There’s no such thing as an unlovable person – only those we choose not to love. Christ’s example on the cross, asking forgiveness for those crucifying him, sets the bar for how we should love even those who wrong us.
5. Eagerness to maintain unity: Unity doesn’t just happen; it requires intentional effort, especially when disagreements arise. We’re called to be eager in maintaining the unity of the Spirit, not creating division over minor issues. This unity isn’t something we create ourselves, but rather a gift of the Spirit that we’re tasked with preserving.
Our unity as believers is rooted in the oneness of God. Ephesians 4:4-6 emphasizes this, declaring “one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” This doesn’t mean uniformity – the body of Christ, like a physical body, is made up of diverse parts with different functions. Our oneness is found not in sameness, but in what unites us: our identity in Christ.
This shared identity in Christ supersedes all other allegiances or identifiers. No matter our background, appearance, or other differences, if we claim to follow Christ, that is our primary identity. We are part of God’s family, united and reconciled to God and one another through Christ.
Of course, even families don’t always agree on everything. The beauty of our unity in Christ is that it doesn’t require perfect agreement on every issue. Our oneness is found in the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – not in uniform opinions on every matter.
Reflecting on our own connections with fellow believers, we might ask ourselves: Where is there room for improvement? How might the Holy Spirit strengthen these connections? How can these relationships foster our spiritual growth?
One powerful example of such connection is a small group that meets regularly for prayer, Bible study, accountability, and mutual support. Imagine the transformation possible in our lives and congregations if we committed to fostering these deep, spiritually nurturing connections over time.
When we answer Jesus’ call to “follow me,” we embark on a journey of becoming more like Him. One of the most effective ways to progress on this path is by connecting with others on the same journey. Though we may be at different points along the way, we can walk together, building meaningful relationships through our shared faith.
The challenge, then, is to reach out – especially to those we may have drifted from or with whom we’ve disagreed. By inviting someone to coffee, sharing our stories, and opening ourselves to the Spirit’s work, we can strengthen the bonds that unite us as Christ’s body.
In a world that often seems intent on division, we as believers are called to a different way. We’re called to unity – not a shallow unity that ignores differences, but a deep, Spirit-empowered unity that transcends them. This unity is grounded in our shared identity in Christ and expressed through humility, gentleness, patience, love, and an eagerness to maintain the bond of peace.
As we live out this calling, we become like those diverse Lego pieces, coming together to build something far greater than we could alone. We become a living testament to the unifying power of Christ’s love, a beacon of hope in a fragmented world. May we embrace this calling, fostering connections that reflect the beautiful unity of our diverse yet united body in Christ.
