Structural unity is the basest form of coming together. It is
functional and serves a purpose. The New Testament does not contain
many (if any real) examples of structural unity. The Old Testament also
lacks directives for strictly structural unity. The priesthood may be
an example, but its unity was centered on a higher cause than
structure.
Commonality
The Old Testament was unfortunately replete with examples of unity
based on commonality. Israel found itself with a set of civil, hygienic
and moral laws which were exclusive to them. The point of the laws was
to point to something greater (Hebrews 10:1). However, the directives
spawned a distinctive culture which became exclusive.
Matthew 10:1-4 is a list of the men Jesus chose to follow him. They
were a disparate bunch. Commonality would not be their glue. They would
need to reach for something greater and deeper.
Commonality unity often leads to excluding those not like us. In the
name of commonality we discriminate in our fellowship based on race,
socio-economic status, educational level and agreement on peripheral
doctrines. Although we would agree that discrimination is abhorrent to
us, couching it in common interest or views does not seem quite as
offensive. Commonality may work at first, but eventually reveals itself
as shallow and unspiritual.
Matthew 10:1-4 is a list of the men Jesus chose to follow him. They
were a disparate bunch. Commonality would not be their glue. They would
need to reach for something greater and deeper.
Relational
Unity within a family can be challenging. My wife, children and I do
not always agree, yet we remain unified. Why? We love each other
because we are family. We are willing to sacrifice for each other.
Sometimes we bear with each other (Ephesians 4:2 and Colossians 3:13)
but we remain a unit.
Relational unity is important but must be based on more than friendship
or family ties. Many times relational unity can be mistaken for the
paramount form of togetherness. We cannot rely on our interaction with
others to be the primary source of unity; we will be let down at some
point. What do we fall back on then?
Blood Unity
Jesus provides the ultimate in unity. He shows us the structural facet
of our unity (Colossians 1:18 and Ephesians 5) where he is the head and
we are the body. Jesus gives us the basis of commonality we all share
(Romans 3:23) in our separation and need for reconciliation. Relational
unity is also within Jesus (Romans 10:12, John 17:20-26 and Acts 2:42)
as we are devoted to one another.
Jesus takes unity one step deeper. His desire is for us to be one with
him via self-denial and imitation (Philippians 2:1-11). The cross and
its blood are what unify us. The cross and blood will weather any
controversy or disagreement. They will cross any artificial boundary;
racial, economic or educational. A bloody cross transcends friendship
and family.
It is time for us to look at what binds and frees us at the same time;
unity in a bloody cross. We are all sinners who need the blood to wash
us. We are all wretched without the power of the cross driving our
self-denial. We are one in our need. We are one in the solution; a
bloody cross.
References
Jacoby, Douglas. "
Unity on Three Levels."
DouglasJocoby.com.
17 2005. International Teaching Ministry of Douglas Jacoby. 02 Nov.
2005 .
Childers, Jeff W., Douglas A. Foster, and Jack Reese.
The Crux of the Matter: Crisis, Tradition, and the Future of Churches of Christ . Abilene: Abilene Christian Univ Pr, 2002. ISBN 0891120351
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