The lack of unity in the church is one of the major challenges she faces today. As people on a mission to expand the kingdom of God on earth, the matter of unity should not be up for debate. Multiple portions of scripture emphasize this. We are all members of the same body and children of the same Father. 

What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 1:12-13 NIV 

Today, we see a replay of this scripture. Believers are no longer identifying themselves with Christ but have chosen instead to identify themselves with a denomination. This is wrong. Denominations can be great, bringing diversity into the body of Christ and all. But, in the grand scheme of things, we must remember that we are first believers before members of a church. We are first children of God. The things that make us different or unique should not be grounds for discord. Instead, those things should bring diversity into the body. (1 Cor. 12:12-30)

Despite our differences, we are called to live cohesively. Unity doesn’t mean homogeneity, after all the Bible tells us each person has been given a different gift and a different area to function in the kingdom. What unity means is that we are in one accord, that we can bear one another in love. The role of the eye is very different from the role of the hand. Yet, both work together to drive a car. Regardless of our differences, we must remember that we are united by Christ. What brings us together is more than what divides us. (Gal. 3:26-28)

The unity of the early church is what has facilitated the growth of the church to this day. A uniform mindset and goal expanded the reach of the gospel from eleven disciples to hundreds of nations of the world. The progress of the church hinges on her unity. The more united we are, the stronger we are against the devil. Without unity, the devil would not even have to lift a finger. We would be too busy disagreeing and antagonizing one another to withstand him. (Jam. 3:16; Lk. 11:17)

Lack of unity hampers progress. The only way we can move forward is if we are united with a common mind and goal. Even companies share their visions and missions with employees so that they can be on the same page. If there is no concord, no uniformity of mind, then there would be problems making progress or even getting anything done at all. Moreover, it cannot be said that we are making progress, as a body of believers, if God is not glorified. In disunity, God is not glorified. In such situations, the center is not God but selfish motives and self-seeking. (1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 3:8; Rom. 14:19)

It is the unity of the Holy Spirit that keeps us together. If only we all could be as Spirit-led as we are Spirit-filled, we would be better Christians. It is those who are led –those who allow themselves to be led –by the Spirit that are the sons of God (Rom. 8:14). We become true replicas of God on earth when we live and act according to the leading of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches us what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. 

He even tells us why we are saying what we are saying so we see things from His perspective. He works in us to will and do of God’s good pleasure (Php. 2:13). It is pleasing to God that His children live in peace and harmony (Psa. 133:1). No good parent takes delight in seeing their children fight. 

If Christians learned to depend on the Holy Spirit’s leading then we would learn to tolerate or better still, bear one another in love. Living by the flesh is what makes us disagree.

“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Cor. 3:3 KJV

Finally and most importantly, we are to uphold this unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:3). It is a mandate, not an option. One of the last prayers rendered by Jesus before leaving the earth is that we (the church) be in unity (Jn. 17: 20-22). It is that important! Just as the Father and Jesus are One, we too ought to be one. We can also learn to live in unity when we live in love. 

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Philippians 2:2 ESV

P.S: In case you are wondering where part 1 is, you can read it here.