A lesson on Christian unity: what it is, what it is founded upon, and how it takes shape. Given the natural distinctions of character, experience, ethnicity, nationality, and so on – there are countless facets that may serve to divide people. But for the genuine Christian, we are united in Christ, and therefore united to one another as fellow believers. This is not a namby-pamby sentiment. It is a robust truth; a real spiritual unity, that is more powerful than what could ever be wrought in the flesh. For in the flesh, ample reason could be given to divide. But in Christ, we are made one, just as Christ and the Father are one. That is Jesus’ prayer for us here, as we continue in our study of His High Priestly prayer.


Christians may be likened to a body, with all its various functions and parts, yet nevertheless all working together to serve one life. We are referred to as sons, adopted into God’s family through the blood of His Son. This unity then is not founded in formal organizational structures, nor is it in outward behaviors alone (although that is a wonderful thing to behold and strive for.) But chiefly, it is in the positional, relational state with respect to Christ. That is to say, our unity is in Christ by faith, held fast by God’s almighty power working in us. It is a unity that cannot be destroyed, because it is wrought by the Spirit of God indwelling us, causing all true believers in Christ to be positionally one in Him. That is the substance of our unity.


The foundation of our Christian unity is the doctrinal truths of the God’s Word. That is what leads us to the arms of our Lord, our Savior, and our God. Anything which undermines or denies the truths of God's Word is no unity at all, but is in fact error, and a rejection of the faith; the fruit of which is always destruction. There are secondary doctrines which will require charitable disagreement. However, all that is necessary to understand who our Holy God is, who we are as sinners, and the path of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, is unambiguously clear. Supposing we are united to Christ upon the fundamental truths of God's Word, how then will it manifest outwardly? It will always seek to honor and preserve the truth of God’s Word, which in turn stirs us up in the practical (visible) forms of unity in love and fellowship, as we grow in holiness, upon our walk of sanctification. True unity will always flow from, and lead back to, the foundational truths of God’s Word. When the truth of the Word is met with the Spirit's regenerative work in a person's heart, it will always result in our positional (invisible) unity in Christ. Then, it will be our desire to point people to our Savior. Praise the Lord for that! There is nothing greater to be united in, than in Him.