Unity Series: False Unity

There is a unity that is not the unity of the Spirit. It is not a real unity. It may be a unity of co-belligerents. They have a common enemy. An example of this is Russia and the U.S. at war with Germany. Or Roman Catholicism, Mormonism and Evangelicalism united against abortion and gay marriages.

Here are a few positive words that pertain to unity:

Purity: The wisdom that comes from Heaven is first pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 (NIV)

Gentle: A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1(NIV)

Humility: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

Peace: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

Patience: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

Forgiveness: Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Fellowship: We write this to make our joy complete…. But 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, purifies us from all sin. I John 1:4, 7 (NIV)

Righteousness: The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand…. Romans 5:1(NIV)

Peace loving at the expense of Purity is false unity. We saw this with Neville Chamberlain’s agreement with the Nazi Germany before World War II. It was “peace at any cost.”

The opposite is true. It should be, “righteousness at any cost.” The cost was the death of the Son of God. This event, the cross, broke down the middle wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles and made them both one. It breaks down all other barriers.

(Taken from Day & Night: Unity Series, 2003)

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