Unity
- olusegundare
- Sep 4, 2019
- 20 min read
Unity
Introduction
When I first got saved, I do not believe in Christians unity because of the messages I used to hear and some of the books I use to read. Some of the messages are those of Prophet William Marrion Branham, one of the American evangelists who was full of signs and wonders. However, as I continue to grow in faith and I was being led of the spirit to become an assistant leader and the Youth leader of a church in the western side of Ilorin, the state capital of Kwara State, my orientation changed because of what we face from the people of other religions who do not believe Gospel should cross to their side.
Because of the repeated assaults and several destructions to our properties at the area, the Christians living in the area came together to defend themselves, I cannot agree less with them because of what I have suffered, because of what the church we are and others in the area have suffered which the government did not see to.
This makes me know that sometimes, what happens in some countries, particularly the advanced countries do not apply in some other countries, and the onus in on each person and or group of persons living in those area to defend themselves against their common enemies, the enemies of the gospel.
In the same vein is it happening now in Nigeria, my country and at some other places of the world where they do not allow for freedom of worship.
You may as well be like me, a person who does not believe in coming together of believers in Jesus Christ under one umbrella but I want to believe that if you have had some nasty experience as I had, you will have a rethink and would want to associate with other believers in your area to stand against the enemies of the name of Jesus, enemies of your faith.
I will in strongest possible terms admonish that you change your disposition to other believers in Jesus name because of the name of Jesus that we all call.
It is my belief that many of the people like me do not want to be associated with others because of those churches or missions’ doctrines.
But, if a forum like Christian Association Nigeria (CAN) and other Association of the Christian bodies are available in your country, those bodies would exclude all other associated doctrines that usually bring separation into our midst and would focus on Jesus name alone. If a forum like this presents itself, it will be well if you can join them.
It should be noted that there is no church doctrine that is perfect, that is blameless.
Definition
Unity is defined as the state of being in agreement and working together.
Why Do We Need To Be United?
We need to be united because of some or all of these reasons:
1. We Suffer A Lot Acting Alone: when we act or operate alone, we would neither be appreciated nor supported by anyone. Take the case of Esau as example, he suffered alone because he was not supported by her mother and twin brother. Assuming he has been supported, he would have received the blessings his father wanted to bless him with. But because he has been acting alone, he has taken wives from the ladies of the country where they lived in against the consent of his parents. The bible says, this grieved the minds of his parents because they did not support him for the marriages, they did not work with him to take those ladies to wives.
“And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
“Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.” (Gen. 26:34-35)
Because he has not been supported for that, they also ignored him and leave him to act alone, he kept suffering alone and there by losing the blessing that he would have received.
“Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.
“Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.
“And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.” (Jos. 10:4-6)
After the people of Gibeon made covenant with the people of Israel their enemies ganged up against them to destroy them, but the people quickly sent messages to the people of Israel who they have made their rulers that they do not want to suffer at all, that they need to come to their rescue. The people of Israel arose and deliver them from their enemies.
“So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.
“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.” (Jos. 10:7-8)
When we keep acting alone, we would continue to suffer alone, and other brethren would distance themselves from us because we have not associated ourselves with them.
2. We Will Continue To Be Neglected: The Jews in the land of Assyria under the leadership of King Ahasuerus kept on suffering because they were initially not united, but when a law was passed that they should be executed, they saw the need to come together and fight what wants to annihilate them.
“And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” (Est. 3:6)
3. Our Faith is Threatened: The faith we have in Jesus Christ is our common foundation and this faith is being threatened by people who do not like the name of Jesus, when we keep working and acting in isolation.
4. To Be Saved From Sycophant Leaders: Many of our leaders in Christian faith now are sycophants, those who praise leaders to be recognized and secure position for their children. After they have done this, they don’t care what happens to others. Assuming Mordechai was like our present crop of leaders the entire Jews would have been wiped off, but he did not do like that, he did not consider himself alone, but he considered the entire Jews. (Est. 4)
5. This is Our Time: everyone has his or her own dispensation. The dispensation of the apostles has passed, we are in our own time, and this time that we are in, we need to ensure that the name of Jesus Christ is neither rubbished nor stamped out by unbelievers.
6. We Have To Deliver Ourselves: sometimes no one would deliver you if you do not take step yourself. David’s wife, who happened to be King Saul’s daughter told him that he needs to deliver himself else he dies.
“Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.” (1 Sam. 19:11)
7. To Avoid Being Defeated: if we keep acting alone, it is sure that we shall be defeated. Nearly everyone in the world have read the story of Samson the powerful an Israelite. This man because he was acting alone, though he was powerful, yet he was defeated. That is how it is with any church who distanced herself from other bodies of faith, irrespective of how multitude they are, they will still be defeated. (Judg. 16)
8. When We Are United, We Stop Envying Ourselves: when we are united, we stop envying ourselves. It was because the brethren of Joseph were united with him that was why they were envying him. It is the person one is not united with that one continues to envy, because we keep seeing the world a place of competition with the person, but the person one is in love with, one would not envy the person because it would seem as if you are the person, whatsoever the person is doing you will agree with.
“And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.” (Gen. 37:11)
9. To See Other Brethren’s Possessions Ours: it is when we are united that we shall be able to see others possession or children ours. But if we are not, there would be segregation and we shall be saying like the people of the Corinthians say, “I am Apollos, you are Paul’s, I can possibly not have anything to do with you”.
“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
“For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” (1 Cor. 3:3-4)
Advantages of Unity
Having seen some of the reasons why it is needful for us to have unity in this fold, Christianity I want us to see some of the advantages of being united.
1. We Shall Be Unstoppable: the people of the second world, that is the world after the flood, the bible said they were in one language and speech.
“And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
“And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
“And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
“And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
“And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
“And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” (Gen. 11:1-6)
The word speech in verse one is Hebrew word, “דּבר”, “dâbâr” phonetically spell as daw-bawr' which means a word, a matter, advice, care, counsel. Those people have the same counsel, their thoughts are singular, no division among them and because they were not divided that was why they could speak unanimously that they will build a tower to heaven. God sees this, acknowledges it with them and told the committee of heaven that they would be unstoppable because of their unity.
If we can also be united, we shall be unstoppable by the enemies. If a family is united, they will be unstoppable, if siblings are united, they will do exploits, if workers are united the company, they work for would make appreciable profits.
2. Miracles Will Happen Like in The Ancient Days: many people have believed that miracles cannot happen today, miracles are meant for the ancient times alone, they are meant for the days of the apostles, God ensures that miracles happen during their days to establish the gospel, to give the gospel sound footing, they will say, but today, such cannot happen again they will say.
If we can reignite the fire of unity as it was with the people of the ancient days, I am sure that we shall experience miracles like the people of the ancient days.
We pray a lot today and our prayers are not answered because members are not united with their leaders. Ironically, we mis-apply the word of God in Matthew 18:19-20, we thought they mean the same thing, but they do not mean the same thing. One of the verses, verse 19 is talking about unity while the second is talking about presence of God.
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:19-20)
In the above verses we shall see what Jesus is saying clearly there. When two people agree on anything it will be done by God, it will not be altered. But in the 20th verse he says when they are assembled together in his name, he will be there with them. People may gather together at a place with different purpose and desire. When people are gathered with divergent opinions and views how would God answer such prayer? This about this for a moment, if the leaderships of labor union of a country approach the leadership of the country with divergent presentations how would the leader of the country answer them? They won’t be answered because they are not united, they will tell them to go back home and resolve themselves, they will tell them to go back home and come with a common voice.
It is the same herein, when we gathered together God would be there, but that does not mean we are united in mind and purpose, it does not mean we are united with the person who is leading us in the church or fellowship.
This has been major albatross to our prayers. In the meanwhile, the leaders will substitute verse 19 for verse 20 saying that since we have been gathered together God is duty bond to answer our petitions, but all through the ages, we have found this not to be so. They do not come to pass because people though gathered together but they are not united in mind. It is those whose minds are united with the leaders who God answers their prayers.
The other means God uses in answering prayers in the congregation is when the person uses the authority that God has given him in Jesus Christ. But, sadly to say, it is not all leaders who possess this kind of grace.
Another means employed by God in answering congregational prayers is the use of gifts, most especially that of gift of miracles.
“To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:” (1 Cor. 12:10)
These other means of God answering prayers have nothing to do with the congregation uniting with their leader, but God is doing those because of his word and his name, because he wants to glorify himself.
When we become united as the two apostles at the beautiful gate were united, we would experience miracles like it was in the ancient times.
“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
“And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
“Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
“And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
“And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
“And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
“And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:1-8)
3. Speaking With One Voice: When we are united we shall be able to speak with one voice, we shall have one language, one word like the people after the flood did.
“And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.” (Gen. 11:1)
The apostles and other disciples were able to make appreciable impact during their days because they have one language, one word.
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common;” (Acts 2:44)
Here in shall we see that whomsoever they elected or chose as their leaders they fall in line with their resolutions, they trust their judgments.
This we should also do now, whomsoever we elect or appoint to be our leader, such a one should not be undermined, we shouldn’t say we know more than him or her, we shall avoid as best as we could to say we are superior to the person.
It is a possibility that we shall know more than him, this person whom we have chosen to be a leader may have been our subject at a time in our denomination or he may even be our subject at the moment but, since he has been chosen to be our head, our leader, we shall give him the full support as if we are ignorant as if we are his subjects. It takes great humility to do this, and God is not expecting less from us as believers. He expects us to have great humility for it is because of the uncommon humility that he has that made him leave his abode, place of endless peace, joy, tranquility to come and suffer for us, to come and take our place in suffering, to come and save our souls.
“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Php 2:7-8)
If we are really his children, he is not expecting any thing less than this from us. It is when we have something like this that we shall be able to make appreciable growth, it is then that we shall be able to see the good in others, it is then we shall be able to support our leaders unflinchingly.
It is when we allow this in us that we shall be able to correct our leaders in love, when we see them make any mistake, because they are humans and every human is liable to mistakes at a time or another, no one who is still in flesh is free of making mistakes.
4. We Shall Be Focused: it is when we are united that we shall be able to stay on task, it is then that we shall be able to stay focused. It is when we are united that we shall not allow immediate gratifications or desires to affect us.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2)
Jesus Christ our master and Lord, stayed focused while on earth assuming he lose focus for a second, he wouldn’t be in unity with God again and he will not be able to complete the task of redemption in the world.
5. More of Holy Ghost Outpouring: There would be more of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost when we are united.
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)
The apostles receive the full measure of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost when they were in unity.
A similar incident happened during the days of Prophet Moses in which he elected 70 elders who shall be bearing burdens with him, the bible recorded that two of the chosen elders were not at the spot where Prophet Moses asked them to be, but that did not hinder God from releasing his full measure of the Spirit on them as demonstrated by their prophesying like others who were where they are expected to be. This happened because they were in accord with them.
“And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle.
“And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
“But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.” (Num. 11:24-26)
If we can also be united today, it will matter but a little which denomination you are when God is pouring out his spirit on his own people.
6. Our Days Would Be Similar to The Apostles Days: if we can be united, what happened in the times past we shall also experience it today, miracles would abound like in the time past and the Gospel would be unhindered.
The ancient fathers of faith in our part of the world fought idolatry we are not fighting idolatry now, but we are fighting some powers from the demonic world that want to make all of us belong to a religion forcefully.
7. Unrestricted Answers to Prayers: There would be unrestricted answers to our prayers now, when we are united.
During the days of the Apostles, one of them was apprehended and killed by King Herod and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, with the disciples doing nothing, he decided to apprehend Apostle Peter, imprisoned him and was prepared to kill him. The church saw their error and they came together in an accord, started praying against the principalities and powers that want to render the name of Jesus null and void and their prayers were answered.
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
“And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
“And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
“And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
“And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
“And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
“And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
“And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
“When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
“And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
“And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
“And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
“And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
“And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
“But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
“But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.” (Act 12:1-17)
When we also come together to face the enemies confronting us, we shall overcome them as the apostles did, but when we do our things alone, then there won’t be solution and we shall keep suffering.
8. We Shall Be Dreaded By The Enemies: the sins of the Israelis led them to servitude and when they were there they initially did not act in unism, but when the enemies issued our a warrant, an order for their killing, for their perpetual enslavery, they got off their shells, they came together as one and defeated their enemies in the kingdom of Ahasuerus.
“The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.” (Est. 9:2)
People fear those who are united in doing anything. If we can also be united, I am sure that our fear would fell on the enemies of the gospel.
9. We Shall Be Helped: our unity will bring unto us spiritual and physical helps. We have been lacking in both because we are dis-united.
“And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.” (Est. 9:3)
Many of us do not believe in spiritual help again because of our disunity. When a believer in the name of Jesus does not wish to help someone out of his denomination, the people who belong to other denominations having noticed this also started limiting their assistances to members of their denominations alone. The growth of this has made many people to believe that there is nothing called assistance again, but lobbying, trying to know the person, trying to get someone who knows the person to be assisted. People are not even keen on praying for spiritual or divine helps again because of this.
The enemies of the Gospel see this, and they also withdraw their assistance from us, believers, after all, those of us who belong to the same faith do not help ourselves.
However, in the book Esther above, when the Jews come together in unity, the outsiders arose to help them, because they knew the consequences of not doing that.
10. Limitless Progress: Our progress, our growth shall be limitless when we are in accord.
“For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.” (Est. 9:4)
Our progress in the world could still be measured because of disunity among us. But if we can come together, we shall see the difference as the Jews did see when they were in the kingdom of Assyrian under Ahasuerus. If we want a limitless progress in all our doings, then we need to be united in Jesus and in this way.
11. Operating Under Great Power And Grace: We shall be operating under great power and grace as the apostles of old if we can be in accord as believers in the name of Jesus.
“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” (Act 4:33)
The apostles succeeded because they operate under uncommon auction, they operate under extra-ordinary grace and power, the power that the demons cannot match in all facets. We can also achieve this today as believers if we could come together as one in our doings.
12. No One Among Them Lacked: Physician Luke in his account in the book of Acts of the Apostles stated that no one among the disciples lack anything. They did not lack because they were united and trust themselves implicitly.
“Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold.” (Act. 4:34 (Emphasis mine))
Many are lacking among the brethren today because we are suspicious of ourselves. If brother Paul should give me something I would read meanings to it, “I will start thinking maybe he wants to use that to steal my glory,” or I may say, “oh he is playing on my intelligence”, whereas brother Paul in genuineness of heart and sincerity of heart has given me what he gave me, but because our leaders have gone the way of the world, they have polluted our minds against ourselves such that we do not view what others give us with sincerity, we do not believe a brother in Jesus could give us something without ulterior motives.
This kind of mind that has swept across each and everyone of us has kept many of us in perpetual lack, with those who have among us withdrawn to themselves.
To wrap all up, I believe the problems of some of us are neither enemies nor curses because those apostles of old also had enemies before they got saved, they had curses before they got saved. If we do not know anything we know that Jacob placed a curse on Reuben which of course was generational curse, but when they got saved, because out of those who were saved then, people from Reuben’s family also got saved, but he lived conveniently and comfortably because of the unity among the brethren, the unity among them wipe off those curses such that what would have become their sufferings were removed because they live in love and unity.
Many of us today are suffering not because of curses as many of our leaders used to harp to our hears always during their ministrations, but what our problems are is having a good and exemplary leader. All of our so-called leaders are non-exemplary in their lifestyles, all they are after is their families and their fame. It is saddened! In the meanwhile, believers outside the country would be looking at them and they will think they are doing us well here.
Some among us are like Joseph who have enemies but after he had been sold into the slavery land, his enemies did not think of him again. Some of us have been sold by enemies of a truth, but those enemies are not thinking about us again, just like the brethren of Joseph were not thinking about him again. Now, assuming Joseph kept on praying on his enemies when he got to the land where he has been sold to, do you think he would make impact? Do you think he would outshine others? I do not think he would make any impact assuming he continues to live on the past where he was sold to.
In the same vein is some of us, where we have been sold to, if we continue to dwell on the past, if we continue to pray on the enemies without chatting ways for our progress, we may be at a stationary point for ever.
All we need is an exemplary leader, a good leader who would be mindful of the brethren, a leader who will be in unity with others.
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