It is a sorrow to have to admit that throughout its history, Christianity has been split by fighting, disagreement and hostility, which can still be seen today. It hasn’t been possible to say, “Look how they are one, just as Jesus and the Father are one!” Indeed, among most Christians, it is hard to see two individuals, let alone a whole assembly, who have attained to such a degree of unity!

The peace and harmony that Jesus prayed for should be taking shape in the individual churches around the world, and then in the body of Christ as a whole. Our experience is that this prayer is actually being answered in the church today. Here we can see, feel and partake of the spirit of peace, unity and harmony more and more.

However, this does not come by itself. Like all people, we have been born with a nature in which nothing good dwells, and which once was hateful and hated the others. (Rom. 7:18 & Tit. 3:3). Sins against the body of Christ, such as envy, rivalry, and backbiting, cause splits and strife. Unity is the result of the word of the cross that is preached in the church. This word teaches us that we must hate our self-will and the corrupt passions and desires that are found in our human nature, and be crucified with Christ in all our dealings with the others. Obeying the word of the cross means that we follow Jesus on the way of humility, where we acknowledge our own sin and do not allow it to live.

How can we preserve this peace and unity? By making sure that no sin enters the Holiest, where God’s presence dwells. If we allow God’s will to reign, rather than our own human tendencies and inclinations, the result is that others will see the virtues of Christ in our lives. We experience that God is present in our congregation.

If we consider ourselves to be members of the body of Christ, we have a great responsibility to live in such a way that Jesus’ prayer for unity is answered in our homes, local fellowships and in the church at large (the whole body of Christ).

June 2009