What does unity look like?
Question:
Dear Jeffrey,
I'm struggling a bit with what unity really means in light of scripture, and I’d appreciate your guidance.
From my study, I understand unity to involve being “of the same mind and judgment” as in I Corinthians 1:10-11, and having the humility and love described in Philippians 2:1-5. This seems to point toward a unity grounded in shared scriptural convictions, not just outward agreement or harmony.
Lately, some of what has been described as unity seems to involve not challenging one another, even when something may not be scriptural, or everyone participating in the same activities regardless of conscience or conviction. At the same time, some decisions are made based on opinion or tradition, without open scriptural discussion.
So I wanted to ask: How should we understand biblical unity? Is it more about doing things together and avoiding disagreement, or actively aligning our thoughts and decisions with Scripture, even when that means lovingly challenging or correcting one another?
I truly want to be part of building peace and love in the congregation, but I also want to be sure we are grounded in the word as our authority, and a number of things that have happened in the last few years do not necessarily uphold this.
Additionally, does one stay in a congregation that does not follow scriptural guidelines, or should ongoing patience be exercised, as none of us is perfect?
Thank you for your time and patience with this question.
Answer:
Unity doesn't exist if the people are not first united with God. "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 You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me" (John 17:20-21).
See:
Response:
Good Morning,
Thank you for your quick response, as usual.
This is perfect and makes a lot of sense. There is still a well-respected member sharing with others that online worship is fine. One member ( who has now returned) was worshipping online for some time because of this, but the following summarises this:
"Those who recognise what God has allowed can still worship with those who have a wrong view on an issue, so long as that wrong view is not being pushed. Paul says they are not allowed to pick fights or constantly debate those who are weaker in their understanding of God's laws. In other words, there must be a chance for people to grow. Thus, the one with better understanding doesn't force the issue by putting the weaker person in a position of having to go against his beliefs, wrong as they might be."
Even regarding the giving of loans from church funds, voting via WhatsApp, and paying some preachers and not others, I suppose it doesn't impact my faith in the grand scheme. And, if I've shared something once regarding erroneous teaching or traditions, unless I am being pushed, there is no obligation for me to bring it up again, or participate as people are growing at their own speed, and I likewise need to keep growing. And where someone's erroneous teaching may be impacting another person, it is best to deal directly with the latter rather than the teacher, if one has attempted to discuss this with them previously and they insist they are right.
Thanks for your help, as always.
