Unity In Diversity
By Art Dmytriyev
Yancey County
How does unity work with completely different and diverse people? Let’s begin with the Bible verse where Jesus states that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 KJV) and that “with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37 KJV). To clearly understand the subject, let’s briefly zoom in on Jesus’ promotion of unity among His followers and what unity truly means. Also, let’s look at unity through the model of the Body of Christ and why such unity is necessary.
The Bible makes it clear that the church is one body with many members, called from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. (Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 2:13-16; 4:3-6, 11-16). In Christ, we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who, by one Spirit, has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures, we share the same faith and hope and reach out as one witness to all. This unity has its source in the oneness of the triune God, who has adopted us as His children.
Jesus made a point of reaching out to people who were categorically different from Him, sharing the good news of his Father’s love. And, right before he went back to heaven, he instructed his disciples to do the same. Jesus created absolutely all humankind, and He died for all. In addition to it, He wants to save all (Acts 17:26–28; John 3:16–17; Matthew 11:28–30). So, a person’s gender, financial status, or level of education should make no difference in the value of a person or their ability to work together with them. Jesus wants the good news of salvation to be spread across the entire world so everyone will have the opportunity to join God’s family and be a part of the Church, the Body of Christ.
Look at the words of Jesus prayer to His Father: “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” (John 17:11 KJV). Unity doesn’t mean uniformity. God recognizes and appreciates the skills and unique personalities of each one of us. When we accept Christ’s forgiveness and choose to live for him, we become a part of his worldwide family. Jesus specifically prayed to God for his followers to be unified right before he went back to heaven.
Christ calls us to be unified. This concept of church unity is referred to as being a part of the Body of Christ. Jesus Christ desires His people to be so connected with each other and with Him that they cooperate as if they were one body. (1 Corinthians 12:11–26). God designed us to need each other. It’s our calling as Christians to lift each other up instead of isolating ourselves. Christ’s people cannot function if they are unable to cooperate. If each of us believed that we knew best and split off to do our own thing, we’d never fulfill the mission our Lord gave us to spread His love and reveal His character to the world.
Dear reader, God doesn’t want us to miss out on His lessons and His blessings because of our own pride. Remember that “the things that are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27 KJV) We are called to be like a body: different parts working towards a common purpose, cooperating, and bearing each other’s sorrows and joys. Jesus, even while He was on earth, was in perfect unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. This Trinity is the perfect example of what unity should be. Would you join this awesome divine unity today?
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Pastor Art Dmytriyev is originally from Siberia. He has traveled the world in Evangelism and pastoral ministry. He serves as a pastor in North Carolina, holds a Master of Divinity degree, and is currently a Doctor of Ministry candidate. More information at: https://burnsvillenc.adventistchurch.org/pastors-blog
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