Biblical unity allows for personal, spiritual, and evangelistic growth. Division kills desire, hope, and evangelism. Let us be a people united in Christ for the cause of Christ.
UNITY REQUIRES YOUR PRESENCE. Cornelius spoke one of the greatest declarations in all the Bible: “Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by The Lord” (Acts 10:33). Let that be the aspiration of every household on the day of worship. Cornelius was a good man who wanted to be right with God and with God’s people. His desire to be united with God’s and God’s people is demonstrated in his presence and willingness to hear. The humble attitude demonstrated by Cornelius would go a long way in aiding unity. Also notice what Cornelius had gathered to hear. He was not like those learned men of Athens who spent “their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:21). He did not gather his family to debate opinions concerning things inconsequential. He assembled his household to hear and to do “all that you have been commanded by The Lord.”
UNTIY REQUIRES YOUR SUBMISSION TO GOD. If an individual or congregation is to be in unity with God and God’s people, then that individual or congregation must first submit to God. If one is not in submission to God, then he will always be in rebellion to God and against God’s people. Jesus said, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (John 15:10). John also tells us “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Unity with God and unity with God’s people cannot be achieved without complete submission to God. Until we entirely submit to God, we will fight over the acceptance of our own opinions and our own methods. Let all things be done for God and not for self.
UNITY REQUIRES YOUR SUBMISSION TO GOD’S PEOPLE. We must agree on what God has said and be willing to work with God’s people. God told us that baptism is “for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38); that we are not justified by “faith alone” (James 2:24); and that we must sing by making melody in your hearts (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Therefore we must agree with God on these matters and refuse those who would teach and practice the opposite of what God has said (2 Thess. 2:14). However, I must also learn to accept the people who disagree on things which do not affect salvation. These ideas and practices which do not affect salvation are those which do yield to specific commands and general principles of God but may or may not be what I personally like or consider wise. In matters of doctrine–unity. In matters of opinion–liberty. In all things–love. God wrote, “Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind (“humility” ESV) let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:2-3). Let us not become like Diotrophes who had a “my way or the highway” attitude which stemmed from his desire for power and prominence. When discussing opinions, remember that you could be wrong and your brother could be right and it may not matter either way. When discussing doctrine, know that God is always right.