How to Achieve Unity
We all call being united in one common cause (despite there being many obvious differences) unity. The fourth definition for this word in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1969) agrees with that concept: "A combination or union thus formed" (1401). However, the first explanation is: "The state of being one; singleness." And the second is: "The state, quality, or condition of accord or agreement, concord." Agreement on one matter, while disagreeing elsewhere is technically union, but it is called unity. When people can agree on fundamental tenets, then unity exists.
In Christianity, when considering all the sects and cults, there is no unity and very little union. Unitarians, for example, do not believe Jesus is Divine, and Jehovah's Witnesses adamantly deny He is eternal. The New Testament teaches that The Word is complete (2 Peter 1:3; Jude 3), but Mormons, Catholics, Pentecostals, and charismatics believe that revelation is ongoing. That's a huge disagreement; both cannot possibly be correct. Predestination and free will are totally at odds. Is sprinkling valid, or is baptism immersion? How much unity can we legitimately expect with polar-opposite ideas?
It's too bad God didn't leave us more united. Oh, wait! He did. In fact, Jesus prayed earnestly for His followers to be one (united) (John 17:20-21). In fact, it was one of the last things He prayed for just before being taken to be crucified. It was not for union that He prayed. He wanted His disciples to be as united as He and the Father are. It's too bad that never happened. Actually, it did—at the very beginning. As long as they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine (Acts 2:42), they were able to continue daily with one accord (Acts 2:46).
It's too bad we can't have that unity today. Oh, wait! We can! Unity could be achieved now the same way it was in the first century—by continuing steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine. But pride would need to be done away with. It, above all else, prevents unity. Many feel honor-bound to defend their denomination, which is less than 500 years old. They will rely on highly educated doctors of theology to tell them what to believe rather than going by the Scriptures. They will appeal to traditions of men, though Jesus denounced them (Matt. 15:1-9). They will insist that God is talking to them (or someone they trust) even though inspiration has ceased. They refuse to give up what they have wrongly been taught for emotional reasons, preferring sentiment over truth. Many are no different than the Pharisees and the Sadducees in the first century, who exalted themselves and crucified Jesus. No, unity is no more possible today than it was between our Lord and the Sanhedrin in the first century or God and Israel prior to the captivities. People must love the truth (Pr. 23:23; 2 Thess. 2:10) and be humble enough to accept it and live by it. Those who do have unity with God and each other.
"Behold, how good and how
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell
together in unity."
(Psalm 133:1)