INSIGHT 1 – UNITY

For many years, I have been frustrated with the lack of collaboration among believers. If we look at the history books, the most effective strategy to keep an enemy weak and powerless was to use tactics that kept them divided. But when kingdoms began to unite against these tactics, they started winning battles – and eventually the wars.

While Jesus has made so much possible for us through the cross, we as the Church still have much to do before the return of Christ. We are called to be an effective vehicle for the Great Commission. Yet, we are anything but effective because of our divisions.

Some churches and organisations have tried to work together over the years, but most of it has been window dressing. In most cases, no one is willing to set aside their ideals or traditions. Sometimes, they cannot let go of the lie that “they are the only ones with the truth.” The Word says: “God has distributed to each of you a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3 TPT). We all see in part, for “we don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist” (1 Corinthians 13:12 TPT).

Each believer carries a facet of God’s truth, but only God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – holds the fullness of wisdom. The Scriptures remind us: “The many facets of God’s wisdom” (Ephesians 3:10 TPT) are too deep for any one person or movement to contain.

There have been some Christian unity movements in the past, but sadly, many of them focused on importing worldly business networking principles into the Church. While these approaches seemed to bring positive results at first, they soon became back doors for the enemy to introduce Eastern philosophies, new-age thinking and even witchcraft into the body of Christ. When this happens, we burn strange fire before the Lord, and the presence of God departs – Ichabod. Even worse, the focus of these movements shifted to personal image (narcissism) and success. Emphasis was placed on wealth, positions, titles and business acumen. The name of Jesus and the person of Jesus were no longer the focus. Neither was evangelism, discipleship, the Holy Spirit, or the expectation of Christ’s return.

We do not need the body of Christ to be defiled by the wisdom of men. We DO need the presence of God among us. Without Him, our efforts are nothing.

Unity is the one aspect where God Himself commands blessing upon His people. The Psalmist wrote: “How truly wonderful and delightful to see brothers and sisters living together in sweet unity! It’s as precious as the sacred scented oil… For from this realm of sweet harmony God will release His eternal blessing, the promise of life forever!” (Psalm 133:1–3 TPT). Everyone is seeking the blessed touch of the Lord. Even Jacob was willing to deceive his own father, Isaac, to gain a blessing. But we do not have to resort to such measures.

Amazingly, the Holy Spirit is bringing together people from many different backgrounds – men, women and children who may traditionally never mix. But because their hearts are longing for the presence of the King, they are willing to drop the walls that separate them and embrace Jesus’ prayer: “I pray for them all to be joined together as one, even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one” (John 17:21 TPT).

Our vision for Africa is a united body of believers who love God and one another, and who seek His presence and His will above all else.

Please pray with me about this aspect of the Africa Vision Manifesto:

That God would forgive us for our superiority.
Many of us are hardened by prejudice. Even though the scriptures tell us “And we no longer see each other in our former state—Jew or non-Jew, rich or poor, male or female—because we’re all one through our union with Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 3:28 TPT). Culture, race, and socio-economic status should not divide us. One biological sex is not better than another. We are equals in Christ. Finished!!!

Pray that we would repent of feeling or behaving superior to other brothers and sisters. We are commanded: “So now I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other just as much as I have loved you” (John 13:34 TPT). Pride is the greatest wall standing in the way of unity.

That God would help us embrace true humility.
True humility is understanding that successes do not belong to one person. Scripture reminds us: “Love empowers us to fulfil the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other’s troubles” (Galatians 6:2 TPT). Each person’s victories belong to the body of Christ. When one succeeds, we all succeed. When one hurts or fails, we all share the burden.

That our love and unity would be our witness to the world.
Jesus declared: “For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you’re my true followers” (John 13:35 TPT). Unity is not only a blessing within the Church – it becomes part of our evangelising and discipleship initiatives.