“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Ps. 133:1)

“I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.”( John 17:11)

Oneness doesn’t happen by accident. In fact, effort and submission, spelled with a capital ‘E’ and ‘S’, are required. In one way that’s good. Oneness apart from the working of the Holy Spirit is impossible. Like marriage, only God can join two into one. God alone can unite His Kingdom works and workers.

First, it takes the Divine humility. As a pastor, I need to allow the Spirit to humble me. In every community I’ve served, I wasn’t the only Christ-called servant. My ideas were not always the best ones presented. But in every community, God made it unmistakably clear… I needed the fellowship and partnership of Bible-believing, Christ-honoring pastors. Ones He wanted me to be embraced by and ones he wanted me to embrace.

Second, it takes Divine wisdom. Oneness is only possible if the ‘Main Thing Remains the Main Thing’. Unity based on the Apostles’ Creed and allegiance to the inerrant Word of God is enough. As important as secondary beliefs are, holding ours and the secondary convictions of others in respect is necessary. Allowing them to cause division undermines unity.

Third, it takes Divine vision. The often used phrase, “We are stronger together than alone.’, is true. It requires seeing our communities as God sees them. A panoramic view is Heaven’s Vision. It’s true, God has His eye on you. However, His eye is also on every Godly ministry in your community. When His Vision becomes our vision, the entirety of His Kingdom work is not only united, it is bolstered. In the same way a ‘A rising tide lifts all boats.’, a spirit of unity expands the effectiveness of His Kingdom. In unison with the Holy Spirit, we say, “Followers of Christ, UNITE!”