Scriptural references:
Acts 4:32
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.“
Ephesians 4:4
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
1 Corinthians 1:10
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
These are CERTAIN times for Christ-followers to come together NOW. This is a wakeup call or battle cry for ALL Christ-followers and warriors to stand firm in Christ, push back darkness, and participate in Kingdom impact!
Unity in the body of Christ is vital to the success of the mission God has called us to.
It is essential to understand that unity in Christ has a deeper meaning than just drinking coffee together or having a joint service. It involves a unity in which each “separate” part is an essential and perhaps vital part of the entire body.Â
We can form a unity for various reasons and in all sorts of ways. For example, a political party, a soccer club, a reading club, a fire department, or an army unit all serve a particular purpose. They have a temporary character and lapse of membership.Â
The union Jesus speaks of in John 13 verse 34, expressed in love, is a unity beyond human capacity. It transcends all human intentions. It involves unity in the Spirit.
We know that all things are spiritual to the Lord. So being in Spiritual unity also requires one Spiritual understanding, as the Spirit is one. In the book of Acts, the multitude of those who had come to faith were one in heart and soul. There was no room for human interpretation. Look at how it ended with Ananias and Sapphira.Â
Spiritual unity transcends far above any ministry name or organizational intentions. It is above the treaty of human visions and plans. It is the unity in which God’s will and commission have been accomplished in the full unity of His body. In the time of Nehemia and Ezra, this unity enabled the people of God to repair the wall jointly. “And when the seventh month had come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem..” (Ezra 3:1)
They were united. “The people assembled as one man.” When members reckon themselves crucified with Christ, putting aside fleshly interest, and all are attentive to the mind of the head of the body, the Lord Jesus Christ, there is a manifestation of the unity of the Spirit.
The children of God should be characterized by their love for one another and unity.
StL Network endeavors to preserve the unity of the Spirit by putting to death the works of the flesh by the power of the Spirit and to restrain from pseudo-unity, any pretense of unity that is not based upon the truth of Who God is and What God has done through His Son!
We encourage others to join the mission, encouraging one another likewise to be united by the love of Christ and the power of His Spirit so that with this, all shall know that Jesus is alive!
Networking is a great start towards the fulfilment of a restored body!