The Power of Unity: A Church That Stands Together
In a classic Peanuts cartoon, Lucy demands that Linus changes the TV channel. When Linus questions her authority, Lucy responds, “These five fingers. Individually they’re nothing, but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold.”
Linus, clearly impressed, asks, “Which channel do you want?” And as he turns away, he says, “Why can’t you guys get organized like that?”
It’s a humorous moment, but it also prompts a deeper reflection: how many times throughout history has God looked at His church and asked the same question—“Why can’t you guys get organized like that?”
The Power of Unity in Christ
Individually, we may feel like we’re not much, but when we come together as one in Christ, we form a powerful, spiritual force. We become a weapon that the gates of hell cannot withstand. As Christians, we are meant to be united, and when we come together, we are not just a collection of individuals; we are the body of Christ, capable of great things. But unity doesn’t happen by accident—it requires effort, sacrifice, and intentionality.
Over the last 35+ years of ministry, I’ve seen firsthand how “ego and pride,” “misunderstanding,” “church politics,” and “unresolved conflict” prevent unity in the church. Two churches, just blocks apart, failed to merge because they couldn’t agree on how to recite the Lord’s Prayer—one group insisted on “forgive us our trespasses,” while the other demanded “forgive us our debts.” The power of unity was lost because of semantics, yet the devil is terrified of a unified church. Why? Because a unified church is a mighty force against evil.
The Blessings of Unity
Psalm 133 tells us that unity is not just good—it is pleasant and releases blessings. It releases the anointing, refreshes us, and invites God’s commanded blessings. Unity doesn’t just bring potential—it unleashes the potential for limitless possibility. When we come together in one accord, nothing is impossible. Genesis 11:6 shows us that unity in purpose and vision gives us great power. But when unity is used for disobedience, as seen in the Tower of Babel, it leads to confusion. God knew that unity could be used for His purposes, but He also knew it required direction in line with His will.
Unity is Not an Easy Task
We live in an age of division—our world is marked by different truths, deconstruction, political discord, and social fragmentation. In the church, language can be a powerful bonding agent, but it can also be a source of division. Unity, especially in a diverse congregation, won’t happen without intentionality. At Word of Life Church, we choose to be one church with many languages. One vision, one team, one conversation. Unity in our church requires deliberate effort—it requires sacrifice and intentionality.
Unity can only happen when we set aside personal preferences and ego. Romans 12:3-5 urges us to think with sober judgment and recognize that we are all part of one body, each with a unique role to play. We cannot walk in unity when we are “over-inflated” with pride or “under-inflated” in our commitment. We must maintain sober judgment, recognizing that every part of the body matters.
Unity Answers Jesus’ Prayer
In John 17:21-23, Jesus prayed that His followers would be one, just as He and the Father are one. Unity is an answer to Jesus’ prayer—a prayer that invites the world to see God’s love through His church. On the contrary, division is the desire of the devil. A divided kingdom cannot stand.
The Role of Leadership in Unity
Ephesians 4:11-13 highlights the role of leadership in unity. The church is equipped through apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to build up the body of Christ. When everyone is engaged in ministry, unity naturally follows. Disengagement and spectatorship create division, but when we all contribute, we fulfill God’s mission together.
Unity Requires Sacrifice and Humility
Unity in the body of Christ demands humility, as shown in Romans 12:3-5. We must serve one another in love, sacrifice our own preferences, and work together toward a common goal. Unity requires us to look beyond ourselves and recognize the value of others, as each person has a unique role to play in the body of Christ.
Unity is Spiritual Maturity
Ephesians 4:14-16 teaches that unity is a sign of spiritual maturity. When we grow in Christ, we learn to speak the truth in love, building up the body in love. Unity comes when we function together, recognizing that each part is essential and valuable.
The Power of Unity in Diversity
Unity in diversity is essential in the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 reminds us that though we are many parts, we are one body. Each part matters, and when we work together, we form a complete and powerful body capable of fulfilling God’s mission.
Unity is Not Accidental
Unity doesn’t happen by chance. It requires intentional effort and a commitment to the vision and mission of the church. As A.W. Tozer put it, “One hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other.” When we tune ourselves to Christ, we are united in purpose and mission.
A Final Call to Unity
Unity is a result of our commitment to Christ, to one another, and to our common mission. At Word of Life, we choose to be one church, with one mission, one vision, and one conversation. Let us come together with intentionality, humility, and sacrifice, recognizing that when we walk in unity, we fulfill the prayer of Jesus and bring His kingdom on earth.
Let’s make this year a year of unity—not just in vision, but in action. Let’s be the church, together, walking in one accord, for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.