We live in a country where our churches are divided into denominations. And at times, with no force of racism, they may even be ethnically segregated. There is also evidence that some church leaders are not open to working with other church leaders to reach the lost for Christ. Of course, this isn’t always the case, but wherever these divisions occur, I personally don’t believe it is what God intended. Philippians 2:1-2 reminds us that we should be unified under Christ, not separated. It says:
"If you have any encouragement from being united in Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."
Paul is encouraging the church to be like-minded, and to be one in spirit and purpose. God knows what we can do when we work together. In the book of Genesis, at the tower of Babel, God says that “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” I realize that whatever we accomplish as a people for the kingdom of God must be led by the Spirit and not our own flesh, but even God acknowledges that when we work together there is nothing that we can’t overcome. So, I encourage you to pray for unity in the body of Christ. Imagine what we can accomplish if we were indeed united and likeminded.
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I believe that every believer on earth is a part of one single body. Jesus says that a house divided against itself cannot stand. We need to be united. Paul encourages us to be likeminded. For the past few years, churches in Kalamazoo, Michigan have come together to reach our community. About 8-10 congregations come together every summer for a “Jesus loves Kalamazoo” outreach. It is awesome to see us all come together to reach out to those in need and to spread the gospel. I believe that is what unity looks like. You may know of instances like this in your area where believers, or even churches, have united for the cause of Christ. If you do, then that’s awesome. If not, I encourage you to pray that God bring the body of Christ together, because as Paul reminds us we should strive to be one in spirit and purpose.