As we entered this New Year, our church embarked on 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Among my most heartfelt prayers this year is a plea for unity within the church. Unity is essential for advancing God’s Kingdom as never before. When the Church is united and aligned with God’s agenda, we can push back the darkness in communities worldwide.
Jesus Prayed for Unity Among His Disciples:
"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me." – John 17:20-23 (ESV)
Unity Without Uniformity
Unity does not mean uniformity. The body of Christ is a diverse entity, encompassing people from every corner of the globe. Yet, in His final hours, our Lord prayed that we would be one, just as He and the Father are one.
The book of Acts, particularly in chapter 2, gives us a vivid example of this unity. In the upper room, the disciples were united in prayer, and it was in this setting that the Holy Spirit moved powerfully. This unity included a shared revelation of Jesus and a collective desire to see Him glorified.
When the body of Christ operates in unity, it can become the most passionate, purposeful, and powerful force on earth. A unified church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is unstoppable in its mission to influence the world for Christ. Oh Lord, let us see this mighty church rise in our generation!
Diversity of Gifts
Unity doesn’t erase diversity – it celebrates it. Each member of the body of Christ is given unique gifts for the edification of the whole (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). A strong, unified church is one where every believer is taught, equipped, and released to use their gifts for the glory of God.
As Richard Lovelace suggests,
“The church has all the gifts it needs to impact the world, but this can only happen when we move out of passivity and into purposeful action.” – Richard Lovelace
Closing Thought
As we reflect on Jesus’ prayer in John 17, we see His heart for unity – a unity that mirrors the relationship between Him and the Father. This unity is not a call to uniformity but an invitation to celebrate our diversity as the body of Christ, working together under one purpose: to glorify God and make Him known to the world.
As John Stott reminds us,
"We must be willing to distinguish between primary and secondary issues, between matters of essential doctrine and matters of indifference, and to give one another freedom in areas of liberty. Love for one another is a much more eloquent testimony to the gospel than a rigid insistence on uniformity." – John Stott, Basic Christianity
Let us commit to walking in unity this year, setting aside divisions, celebrating diversity, and focusing on God’s agenda. May the church rise as a beacon of hope, reclaiming what the enemy has stolen and pushing back the darkness in every corner of the globe. Together, we can fulfill the prayer of Christ – that the world may know the love of God through our unity.
Until next time, Stay Strong in the Lord!
Pastor Bob
About Pastor Bob Moya, DMin.
Pastor Bob Moya has served as the lead pastor with his wife Candace at City Chapel in Arlington, Texas for over 22+ years. He recently graduated with a doctorate degree in Spiritual Renewal and Leadership in the spring of 2024. When not serving at the church, you'll find Bob enjoying a good read at Barnes & Noble, sipping a nitro cold brew or black coffee from Starbucks, or spending time with his family.
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