Anjana Sahney Thakker
Unity of faith is a supernatural bond that exists among those who adhere to a single divine revelation. This bond is underpinned by two levels: the level of being, where all participants in this unity share the same supernatural virtue of faith given to them by God; and the level of conviction, where these participants hold fast to the same revealed truth. Scripture dictates that there is one God and one mediator between God and men, one divine plan of salvation, one Church, and one apostolic authority. The acceptance of this singular economy of salvation is what is called faith, and the unity resulting from this attachment is the unity of faith.
The unity of faith exists in varying degrees. Firstly, there is a basic unity among all men who possess the virtue of faith, even at the minimal degree of those who have no conscious acceptance of the Christian revelation. Secondly, there is a fundamental Christian unity of faith among the baptised who, by divine faith, accept part, though not all, of the objective Christian revelation. Finally, there is the integral unity of faith that exists among the members of the Catholic Church.
What You'll Learn
The Holy Spirit is the great giver of unity
The Holy Spirit is the "great giver of unity". In Ephesians 4:3, Paul tells us to "be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace". This unity is not something we create, but rather something that already exists and that we must diligently preserve. It is a subjective unity, involving the vital oneness of the members of the body of Christ.
Paul further emphasises the importance of unity in Ephesians 4:13, where he expresses his desire for believers to "all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God". This unity in faith is not about conformity or a lack of beliefs, but rather a unity based on the essentials of our faith. It is a call for Christians to be united in their shared truth, to have the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
This unity is not just about sacrifice or tolerance, but also about affectionate love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a feeling of endearment and brotherly affection. We are to have sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind for those who are our family in Christ.
The ultimate aim of Christian unity is the glory of God. As Paul writes in Romans 15:5-7:
> "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Thus, the Holy Spirit is indeed the great giver of unity, and it is through the Spirit that we can strive for and maintain this unity of the faith.
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Unity in the truth
The Nature of Unity
Unity is a neutral concept that can be either good or bad depending on its source, views, affections, and aims. For example, unity between two or more people can be good or bad. If the unity is based on scorn, it is not a good unity. However, if the unity is based on a shared love for Christ, it is considered a good unity.
The Source of Unity
The Holy Spirit is the source of unity for Christians. The Bible states that "the Holy Spirit is the great giver of unity". It is through the Holy Spirit that Christians are "baptized into one body" and "made to drink of one Spirit".
The Views of Unity
Christian unity is more than shared truth, but it is not less. It involves having the "same love" and being "in full accord and of one mind". It is about being "harmonious" and "in accord with Christ Jesus".
The Affections of Unity
Christian unity includes affectionate love, not just sacrifice. It is a feeling of endearment for those who are our family in Christ. We are to "love one another with brotherly affection" and "have sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind" for each other.
The Aims of Unity
Spirit-rooted, Christ-manifesting, truth-cherishing, humbly-loving unity is designed by God to have two main aims:
- Witness to the world: By loving one another, Christians can show the world that they are disciples of Jesus. This unity is not just a common organization but a deep union with the Father and the Son, shining with self-authenticating glory for the world to see.
- Acclamation of the glory of God: The ultimate aim of Christian unity is the glory of God. By living in harmony with one another and welcoming each other, Christians give glory to God.
In conclusion, unity in the truth for Christians involves diligently seeking the fullness of the unity-creating Holy Spirit, striving to know and spread true views of Christ, loving and serving Christians across boundaries, and recognizing that the ultimate aim of such unity is the glory of God.
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Christian unity is more than shared truth
Christian unity is a complex concept that goes beyond simply sharing the same beliefs. While unity in faith and knowledge of God's Son is essential, Christian unity also encompasses other vital aspects such as love, sacrifice, and witness to the world.
The Nature of Christian Unity
Christian unity is derived from a combination of its source, its views, its affections, and its aims. It is not enough for Christians to merely share the same beliefs; their unity must be rooted in the Holy Spirit, who is the great giver of unity. This unity is reflected in the words of Paul, who urges Christians to "be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).
Going Beyond Shared Truth
While shared truth is a fundamental aspect of Christian unity, it is just the beginning. Christian unity also involves a deep love and affection for fellow believers, even those with whom we may disagree. As John Piper states, "unifying love in the body of Christ includes a rugged commitment to do good for the family of God whether you feel like it or not." This means loving and serving Christians across boundaries, cultivating affection, and seeking to do good for our brothers and sisters in Christ, even when it is difficult.
Witness to the World
Christian unity also serves as a powerful witness to the world. As Jesus himself said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). When Christians demonstrate unity in their faith and love for one another, it becomes a shining example for those outside the faith to see and experience. This unity is not just an organizational connection but a deep, spiritual bond rooted in the love of God.
A Continuous Pursuit
Achieving Christian unity is not a static or one-time event but a continuous pursuit. As Paul writes in Ephesians 4:13, "until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God." This verse highlights the ongoing nature of striving for unity. It requires diligence and effort to maintain and grow in our unity as Christians.
In conclusion, Christian unity is indeed more than shared truth. It involves a deep spiritual connection, a commitment to love and serve one another, and a witness to the world. It is a unity that is actively pursued and maintained through the power of the Holy Spirit. As Christians strive for this unity, they reflect the glory of God and become a powerful testament to his love and grace.
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Unifying love in the body of Christ
The Bible says that Christians should ""be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). This means that Christians should strive to keep the unity that already exists among them through the Holy Spirit, who is the source of their unity. This unity is not just about having the same beliefs but also about having love and affection for one another.
Paul writes in Ephesians 4:13 that church leaders should equip believers to serve and build up the community of believers. This includes helping them to live in unity, grow in their knowledge of Christ, and mature spiritually. The goal is for all believers to become ""full" of Christ or to reach the "fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 1:23, 3:19). This maturity includes increases in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and in their love for God and others (Matthew 22:37-40).
To achieve this unity, Christians are called to have a "rugged commitment" to doing good for their fellow believers, even when it is difficult or when they don't feel like it (Galatians 6:10). This means serving and showing love to other Christians across boundaries, whether they are differences of opinion, denomination, or other distinctions.
Christians are also called to have affectionate love for one another, not just sacrificial love. This means having a feeling of endearment and brotherly affection for those who are part of God's family (Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 1:22, 3:8).
By maintaining this unifying love in the body of Christ, Christians can achieve two important aims: first, they can be a witness to the world, showing that they are disciples of Jesus by their love for one another (John 13:34-35); and second, they can bring glory to God by reflecting His glory and perfection in their unity (Romans 15:5-7).
In summary, unifying love in the body of Christ involves diligently keeping the peace, serving and loving one another across boundaries, and growing together in spiritual maturity. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world and brings glory to God.
The ultimate aim of Christian unity is the glory of God
The source of Christian unity is the Holy Spirit, who is the great giver of unity. In Ephesians 4:3, Paul tells Christians to "be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace". This unity is not something to be created, but rather, something that already exists and must be kept and guarded. It is a "uniting bond of peace" that exists among all those who share the same supernatural virtue of faith given by God.
The views that underpin Christian unity are found in the truth of the Christian revelation. This includes the belief in one God, one mediator between God and men, one divine plan of salvation, one Church, and one apostolic authority. It is this acceptance of the one God-revealed economy of salvation that is called faith, and it is this attachment to the one revealed divine order that is the unity of faith.
The affections of Christian unity are characterised by a unifying love within the body of Christ. This love is a rugged commitment to do good for the family of God, but it is also an affectionate love, a feeling of endearment for those who are our family in Christ. Christians are called to "love one another with brotherly affection" (Romans 12:10) and to "have sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind" (1 Peter 3:8).
The aims of Christian unity are twofold: to be a witness to the world and to acclaim the glory of God. By loving one another and being united in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, Christians become a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating that they are disciples of Jesus (John 13:34-35). Ultimately, this unity is for the glory of God, that together, Christians "may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:5-7).
Therefore, Christian unity is not just about being united, but about being united in the truth, in love, and for the glory of God. It is a current reality that the Church continuously strives towards, seeking the fullness of the unity-creating Holy Spirit and growing in knowledge and love until all attain to the unity of the faith.
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Frequently asked questions
The basis of unity in faith is the belief in one God and one mediator between God and men, as stated in 1 Timothy 2:5. This belief is further reinforced by the understanding of God's divine plan of salvation, as mentioned in Ephesians 1:3-14, and the acceptance of the authority of the Church, as guided by the Holy Spirit.
The characteristics of unity in faith include it being ecclesiastical, implying the acceptance of the Church's worship, authority, and creed. It is also a rich and manifold organic unity, capable of expressing itself in diverse ways while preserving the essence of divine revelation. Lastly, it is eschatological, meaning it will reach its perfect expression in the end times when all the just will be united with God.
To strive for unity in faith, we should seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit, who is the great giver of unity. We should also strive to know and spread true views of Christ and His ways, growing in grace and knowledge. Additionally, we should cultivate affectionate love and serve Christians across boundaries, showing love and doing good for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
