There’s no doubt that, other than gifts as the source of organizational structure in the church, the unity of the church is at the top of Paul’s list. We may think that unity signifies the health of the church. This is true, but it’s not the most important aspect of unity. Unity is important because the Spirit is one with Jesus and the Father. To disrupt the unity of the church because of selfishness or willful exploitation is to destroy the mission of the spirit. We’re called to follow the spirit, which creates unity in the church. Our gifts for the service of Jesus are not to represent our individuality, but they are given to represent the unity of Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and therefore our purpose before God. The members of a specific church are not to judge one another, but to stand up for one another. Even for those of a different race or way of life. Our visible exposure of the works of the spirit, and the relationships of church members are to stand out, so that all can see the singleness and oneness of God. Unity is achieved through our fellowship because it’s achieved by our desire to live out God’s promise through the spirit.

John, the Gospel Writer, explains why the church remains one. To maintain a oneness in the church, oneness of purpose, we must desire that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost be displayed before the world. The activity of the church reveals God’s power to provide the church with all it needs and wants. Therefore, we are to maintain the unity of the spirit in the church because we desire God to be glorified. In this day of conflict and mean spiritedness, unity is an essential way of doing ministry. The work of the spirit is to maintain the unity for ministry. Today ministry is revealing to the world the oneness of the purpose of God in the church. If the church is unified and has an encouraging demeanor, then we are on the road to soothing part of the ills of the world. Ministry is not individualistic; it’s wholistic as it works for the common good of God and humanity. When the world watches the combined effort of the church to encourage, love and let go of pettiness, it becomes a statement of hope.

John also writes, “I’m praying not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me. Because of them and their witness about me, the goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us.” John’s point is that the spirit works to make all members one, even the ones coming much later who will be brought to faith in God because of you. But the spirit is not just the backbone of the community’s life, it is its message, as well. The spirit is the empowerment of the church and a part of its creed. Therefore, if anyone asks you what the church believes you can say, “We believe the church is one, bringing its healing power to a divided world.” The church in maintaining its oneness, provides a message to the world and our local community.

When Jesus was with the disciples, he gave three pictures of his purpose of establishing unity. 1) John explains that Jesus wants his life to unite all life. 2) His redemptive service to humanity is to inspire all to come together and follow Jesus. Jesus desires that the church be united like the Father and Son. The spirit ties them together hoping to unite the congregation. 3) Finally, the church is to take heart in the joining of forces between the spirit, the Father and the Son. So, the shared goal is to witness Jesus’ power to unite the church, and the goal of giving Jesus’ praise for the providing a purpose for the goal, which is God’s goal.

Both Paul and Jesus had their sights set on opening the world up to the living of Christianity. Their hope was that members of the church, or fellowship, live like someone who has been changed and now has a new outlook of life. Unity is the joining together in fellowship, to become the best that we can be under the spirit’s power. For the church to be powerful and fully functional, the church must bind themselves together, in the like-mindedness of Jesus and the spirit. When this is accomplished, the church becomes evangelical. It will have the capabilities to witness grace to the world through its oneness with Jesus and the hope it gives to the world.

Seek unity, writer of Ephesians says, “You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. (Ephesians 4:1-6)” Oneness is what we need to achieve encouragement in the church, but its also a part of the message of Jesus, who we are introducing to others. We mustn’t overlook the seeking of unity in the church. It’s essential to the church’s energy and message to the world. We seek unity over diversity. God wants us to leave behind our anger and bring kindness to others.