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Keys to Unity

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How wonderful when the Church lives in unity! The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians that they would make his “joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Phil. 2:2). But, what unlocks the door to unity in the Church?

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. (Phil. 2:1-2, NASB)

The “if” in verse one leads to the “then” in verse two. Unity is conditioned upon certain realities. It’s like opening a door with multiple locks. You cannot fully open the door to unity without all the right keys.

4 Keys to Church Unity Based on Philippians 2:1-2

Position in Christ1) Function from your position “in Christ.”

“if there is any encouragement in Christ”

According to Ephesians 2:6, God has “seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” When we look at life from that position, we see things differently than when we are right in the fray of it all. We see the big picture, not merely the piece that affects me.

And, we no longer see a Church with all of its flaws but rather how God sees her “in Christ” — dearly loved, His precious Bride. Then we can be encouraged despite its blemishes. We can come alongside (paraklesis) of others because we see them, and ourselves, as we are in Christ.

God's Love Key to Unity2) Know and rely on God’s love.

“if there is any consolation of love”

We need unconditional love if we are going to remain united through the failings of one another and strong differences of opinions. We need a love that perseveres, that will not fail … the love described in 1 Corinthians 13, agape — God’s love. Human love, that which we can muster up within ourselves, will be insufficient. Only God’s love will enable us to break through the walls and address the feelings of one another without attacking the person.

Spirit is Key to Unity3) Walk together in the Spirit.

“if there is any fellowship of the Spirit”

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1) The solution? — “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16) When we are more concerned about not grieving or quenching the Spirit among us than getting our way, we come together for the good of the whole. It’s not just about me!

The Heart is Key in Unity4) Guard your heart.

“if any affection and compassion”

The original Greek words for affection (splagchnon) and compassion (oiktirmos) both relate to our inwards parts (bowels, heart, etc.). These two words seem to be interchanged in their various uses, both signifying the seat of our strong emotions — what we metaphorically call our heart. We are to respond to one another from the core of our being. Remember what Jesus said in Luke 6:45 — “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Is it little wonder we are commanded to “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Prov. 4:23)?

These four keys enable us to demonstrate the Christ-like selflessness and humility needed to experience unity.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil. 2:3-8)

Also Read:  True Body Life Results in Church Unity

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