In today's marketplace there are many "how to" books: how to be a good husband, wife, how to be a good golfer, how to make repairs to … whatever. I wonder if such a book could be written on church unity – five easy steps to achieve church unity? That would certainly simplify things, wouldn't it? I'm sorry to disappoint you, for there is no easy formula for church unity, at least I do not know of any. Church unity cannot be manufactured. Church unity does not just happen! Church unity is a voluntary activity – you cannot force it or make it happen. When we deal with church unity we are dealing with people – individuals who are unique – each with a different temperament, personality, tolerance level, etc., each of them a depraved, sinful human being. So, does that make church unity impossible or at least very difficult?

The Bible gives us the only basis for church unity, and that is love for the Lord. Regardless of what other things we may have in common, this is the foundation and the only true one. Listen to God's Word: "Then they who feared the Lord, spake often one to another, and the LORD hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name (Malachi 3:16); they were all with one accord in one place (Acts 2:1); and all who believed were together and had all things common (unity) (Acts 2:44), … continuing daily with one accord in the temple, breaking bread from house to house; … praising God and having favour with the people (Acts 2:46, 47); that ye also may have fellowship (unity) with us; and truly, our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3). Here is church unity and the basis for it. Where this basis is missing, church unity breaks down. Where the Spirit dwells, there is unity. There is no substitute for love to the Lord. Only this love will produce true and lasting unity. It is not because we have certain things in common, for example, we all like golf, or have the same occupation, the same family practices, share the same view on issues, etc. Those things of themselves do not produce church unity. The Word of God must be central and love to Christ and the triune God must be number one in our lives.

Listen to what Scripture tells us: "Then was there a division because of Him" (John 7:4). There were people who loved Him, and there were those who hated Him – division! It is still the same today in the church. For some Jesus comes first, while for others Jesus takes a back seat and such people are quite complacent about Him. This is where church unity stands or falls. Is the body of Christ one in Him or is it divided because other things have priority?

A second problem is idealism. Because the church of Christ consists of sinful people, we may never expect the church to be perfect. There will always be shortcomings, frustrations, weaknesses, differences of opinions, etc. Take for example, Paul and Barnabas. They both feared the Lord, but parted ways because of a difference of opinion. In the Corinthian church there were divisions: one part followed Paul, another followed Peter, another followed Apollos, and others said they followed Christ. These kinds of things are happening in our churches too, and they bring divisions.

What then can we do to promote unity?

1.  Unity on the Word of God⤒🔗

Of first and foremost importance is that we are united on the Word of God. Where Christ is preached and the Word is taught as the Word of God, where the whole counsel of God is preached, believers are drawn to Christ and to each other. If Christ does not truly live in our hearts, then we are fake Christians and Christians in name only. Therefore, making confession of faith and living by that confession is such an important thing. I know that it is idealistic to think that we can have a church where all members are true believers, but really – this should be our goal – a church where Christ is central and the Word is central.

2.  Developing the Fruit of the Spirit←⤒🔗

This means to be imitators of Christ. How good are we at feet-washing? How well do we take criticism? I believe that church unity takes personal effort to deny ourselves. To what degree do we give ourselves for the church? Only when it is convenient or it suits me? The true Christian battles, not only with sin and the world, but especially with self. Christ says, "Follow Me and imitate Me." This is the believer's inward desire. Too often, when the believer is confronted with a conflict, the old self comes to the fore and says, "I will not give in again!" Feelings of anger and even bitterness toward others arise. At this point we should stop and ask ourself, "why am I in this church and what is the purpose of being a Christian? Why did God place me in this world?" Christ denied Himself. He loved His sinful Church and gave Himself for it. How do we reflect Christ?

Self-denial, self-sacrifice, and doing battle in overcoming ourselves are all vital parts of church unity. We are called to use the Christian weaponry or armour, as listed in Ephesians 6:14b-18. Church unity depends very much on our personal battle with self-denying ourselves and giving ourselves for the body of Christ as unto Christ Himself. We don't serve others for the sake of serving others, but we do so because Christ loved His church and gave Himself for it, and that is how we ought to give ourselves.

3.  Personal Relationships←⤒🔗

What is your personal relationship to fellow church members? There are members who are easy to get along with and easy to get to know, but there are others who are more difficult. Knowing one another is vitally important – not just knowing about each other, or each other's character, but knowing each other spiritu­ally. Do we take time for this and do we make an effort? Is it a priority to meet each other around the Word of God? Bible study is an excellent opportunity to get to know each other spiritually. What is the focus and emphasis of our conversa­tion? How do we relate to others? Paul writes: "For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil.3:20). How much do our thoughts dwell on heaven as compared to the things of the earth?

4.  Prayer←⤒🔗

Pray much for the Holy Spirit. We read, "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2). Do we bear one another's burdens in prayer? This is difficult to do if we don't know each other's burdens. Do we love our fellow members enough to bring their needs to God in prayer? How much time do we spend in prayer? Do we ask for the Spirit of prayer? How we need to feel the need for the Holy Spirit's work and presence, so that we are truly spiritually-minded.

Church unity depends much on our personal holiness – spending time with the Lord alone. Do we pray in our hearts as we do our work and relate to others?

5.  Communication←⤒🔗

In Hebrews 13:16 we read: "But to do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." In the church as the body of Christ, we are related to each other. This means informing each other about our activities in the church. It is important for consistory members to communicate together and be very open with each other. They, in turn, must be open to the congregation as much as possible. The various church societies and committees must inform each other of their plans. The body of Christ must function as a unit and not as separate units in isolation from each other. The church bulletin is a good vehicle for this and it is the duty of each society to make proper use of it. Where there is poor communication, frustrations and misunder­standing increase and we open the door to disunity.

Communication is of vital importance. In our conversations with others, is the focus on self or do we show interest in others? We should not only be concerned about how we see ourselves, but we should also try to visual­ize how others see us – and especially how the Lord sees us!

6.  Fellowship←⤒🔗

I believe that it is important, first and foremost, to fellowship with all the members of the congregation, and not only with a few or certain select ones who are our closest friends. I'm not saying that we shouldn't have personal friends, but we must not fellowship with our personal friends exclusively. It is so easy to develop little groups within the church – "cliques," if you will. This is harmful and invites disunity. When such cliques operate within the church, others feel left out. Also, there is the tendency for cliques to think of themselves as a special group of people within the church. This is especially true of office-bearers. Let everyone do their best to share and avoid the develop­ment of cliques. The church is not a social organization, but is first of all the spiritual body of the Lord in Whom all true believers share the same interest. That is where the focus ought to be. The church as the body of Christ must work and share together as a whole. It cannot function properly when individual parts operate in isolation from each other. Christ died for every true believer, whether they are popular or not, or whether they are esteemed highly or not. Try to include everyone in your fellowship-those who are easy as well as those who are difficult to get along with.

7.  Involvement←⤒🔗

It often happens that certain people are left out of things, especially older people. The consistory is the ruling body, but this does not mean that it needs to involved in everything. It is a healthy thing if everyone, as far as they are all able and willing, serve on some church committee or are involved in some activity, especially in Bible study. Be involved in the affairs of the church, strive for cooperation and an attitude of working together for the good of the body of Christ. It is Christ Whom we are serving in the first place, and that is where our focus must be. It is so easy to quit when we get frustrated, but we ought to look beyond our fellow-members to the bigger picture, to the God Whom we serve. Do not expect to get appreciation or a reward for your efforts. We serve Christ and His sinful church because of love to Him. "I will serve, but I expect to get something for it," is an attitude found all too often. This is what foot-washing is all about: it is to serve those who are unthankful, unapprecia­tive and who treat us wrongly.

"Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; Who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross and despised the shame." Hebrews 12:1, 2

Here is true self-denial! "Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again (was not revengeful); when He suffered, He threat­ened not; but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Pet. 2:23). "Being reviled, we bless, being persecuted, we suffer it" (1 Cor 4:12). It is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong. Every action we take or fail to take is made in regard to the body of Christ. Therefore, our behaviour as members is such a serious matter.

8.  Beware of Legalism←⤒🔗

Legalism has slain its thousands! Legalism tries to fit everyone into one mould. I have seen the disastrous effects of this, and maybe you have too! Church unity is not achieved when we try to impose rules where Scripture does not. God did not make us clones, but He made us unique individuals. We have different tastes, habits, personalities, temperaments, etc. This also extends to Christian liberty. lf, for example, the Synod should rule that no mem­ber may have a TV, this will cause divisions and feelings of animosity between those who do not and those who do have one (perhaps secretly, in the closet or basement). Personally, I think we can easily live without one and in some cases should even get rid of it for our own good, but what I mean is that having a TV or not is largely a matter of the individual conscience. This is just an example, but this idea could be applied to many areas of our church life. The rule is, let everything be done in good order and for edification. On essentials we need to be one; on non-essentials we need to exercise tolerance, and in all matters, Christian charity. I realize everyone has their own list of essentials, but let us test them by the Word of God as the only and infallible rule of life and faith. Let everyone be fully persuaded in his own heart (Rom. 14:6). We pay a very high price for legalism and Jesus condemns it: "In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines, the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:9; Mk. 7:7).

The Pharisees were legally correct according to the letter of their own law, but they were spiritually cold, hard, and dead. Of course, we also need to be concerned with the opposite danger, antinomianism. We always need to be corrected by God's Word and the Spirit of God.

9.  If Possible, Avoid Issues←⤒🔗

There will always be issues on which there are differences of opinion. We live in a world of change. There are cultural differences as well as personal differences. If we always dwell on issues our spiritual life will be harmed and conse­quently, church unity will suffer. There are people who profess Christ, but seldom speak of Him since their minds and hearts are always preoccupied with issues and traditions. This has become an automatic way of thinking for them. For example, I could ask you, "what did you think of the pastor's sermon Sunday morning?" See what I have just done? I have asked a question of opinion and evaluation – in this case about the sermon. I would get a much different response if I asked, "Isn't the love of Christ amazing?" We can often cause debate on an issue which would not have become an issue if it had been left alone. Such debates often result in condemning others in our hearts.

10.  Criticism←⤒🔗

Criticism is to focus on differences and condemn those who differ with us. The emphasis is always on differences, and not on similarities. We may meet Christians with whom we are one in Christ, but the first thing that comes to our minds are the things on which we differ. These things almost always concern non-essentials. A critical attitude in our churches may be somewhat due to our cultural background. Many of us have grown up in a family where there was much criticism, especially about churches, and consequently, many of us have a low tolerance level for differences and have grown up with a critical spirit.

This is very damaging to church unity. James says "the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity … It is set on fire of hell … Where envy and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work … This ought not to be so." If we know ourselves, and we know something of the tremendous grace and tolerance of God, this will be reflected in tolerance and acceptance of others. We may not always agree on everything, and I don't think we need to, but "the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them who make peace" (Jas. 3:18).

11.  Coram Deo: Before the Face of God←⤒🔗

We need to develop a personal awareness that we live in God's presence at all times. We need to take personal responsibility for every action, as we live Coram Deo. We live in an age of materialism and this does not bypass the church. So often these things have priority over spiritual matters and harm the well-being of the church. We tend to make our life as comfortable as possible, as if this is our home and as if this is the only life we will have. We feel too much at home in this world and we are complacent about the spiritual battle in which we are engaged. We are lukewarm in giving ourselves for Christ, His cause and His church. If our heart is caught up with earthly things, it cannot be on fire for Christ, His Gospel and His church. Also in this area, we need to do battle. Self-examination and awareness of God's presence are daily duties. Take time every day to meditate on heaven.

Spirituality and church unity do not happen in a vacuum or in isolation. There is no substitute for church unity than the love of Christ filling our hearts and overflowing in love for and unity with the members of Christ's body.

Church unity remains the personal responsibility of each and every member. It comes down to personal holiness. If we look forward to the peace and unity of heaven we will strive for peace and unity in Christ's body on earth. As Christ gave Himself for us, may we in turn, give ourselves for Him. This means a continual spiritual battle with self. We do not need to fight in our own strength. Our Lord has promised us His grace and presence as we do battle. The real question is "are we engaged?" Look to the cross of Christ and ponder in amazement!