What is the Secret to Unity?

What is the secret to a unified church? How can we keep disagreements from ruining our peace? The answer is in verses 12 and 13 of 1 Corinthians 12.

"For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit."

To begin with...understand that unity is not uniformity! The human body is one and yet reflects many different and unique parts. No, unity does not begin with uniformity...it begins remarkably...with diversity! A baseball team is made up of different positions who play together as a team. Their unity develops when they learn to appreciate the differing position skills that each of them possesses. They learn to depend upon each other and their unique skills in order to succeed. It wouldn't make sense for the pitcher to throw the ball home and then quickly run home to catch it. A pitcher needs a catcher! Unity needs diversity! Unity in the church, in the family, and even in the denomination requires something quite different than simply uniform doctrine, gifts, or worship style. We need the Holy Spirit!!

Our differences (Jews, Greeks, Slaves, Free, Old, Young, Calvinits, Armenian, Baptist, Methodist, etc) are insignificant once we are baptized by the Spirit into the Body. It is the Holy Spirit that distinguishes between a believer and an unbeliever and gives us a common union. Our unity is not found in common doctrine but in common Spirit! That doesn't mean that doctrine is not important--just not essential! Unity based solely on doctrine morphs into legalism. They'll know we are Christians not by our beliefs (after all, we know only in part) but by our love. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, etc. Paul said, "You think that everyone should agree with your perfect knowledge. While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church."

What is the secret to unity? Invite the Holy Spirit to saturate your life...and then find a catcher to throw the ball to!