Biblical Unity vs. Worldly Unity

Unity is a major buzzword right now.  About a decade ago I authored a book for Cambodia with the title: Christianity: Discerning Essential Doctrines and Preserving Unity.  The lessons that I learned from writing that book are still with me today.

Biblical unity does not require uniformity or conformity with other people.  Instead, Biblical Unity only occurs when each person willingly aligns themselves with Christ, the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22).  Jesus Christ is the only perfect standard and therefore is the only point upon which genuine Biblical unity can occur.  True unity through Christ is a great testimony for Christ. John 17:23 says, "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."

Worldly unity requires uniformity and conformity with the world and its rulers.  Romans 12:2 warns us against this kind of unity.  "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." James 4:4 says,  "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

While it may sound appealing when the leaders of the world call for "unity" or "working together," we need to be aware of the difference between Biblical Unity and Worldly Unity.  We should only "unite" with the world's leaders in so far as they have aligned themselves with Christ, and no further. The more that they have aligned themselves with Christ, the greater unity we can have with them.   For example, we may be able to support their efforts to end poverty but we must still oppose their policies on abortion or religious freedom etc..