Imagine tonight, as you settle into bed and open your Bible, you turn to John chapter 17. In this chapter, you’ll read about Jesus praying for His disciples during His final hours before the cross. One of the key points in His prayer is His desire for the church to be one, so that the world may believe. Fast forward a few decades, and we find Paul writing on the same theme to the Christians in Ephesus and the surrounding areas. In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul emphasises the unity of the church, stating, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Paul’s words serve as a powerful reminder of the commonalities we share as believers, but they also stress a critical point—there is only one body. The global church is part of this one body of Christ, a spiritual reality created and given to us by God.
This unity is not just a spiritual truth; it is something that should find concrete expression in our lives together. Paul urges us in Ephesians 4:13 to build up this unity, “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God.” The spiritual reality of our oneness in Christ must be made visible to those around us. Unity is not just an idea; it is a tangible, lived experience.
Our calling as Christians is to ensure that the unity we have been given is visible and lived out among us. This requires spiritual maturity, both as individual believers and as a collective body of Christ. Each member of the body has a role to play. Ephesians 4:16 reminds us that “from Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Every one of us has a role in building up the body and making the unity of Christ visible to the world.
However, maintaining unity can be challenging. Paul advises in Ephesians 4:3 to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” It takes work to stay united, and it’s not always easy. That’s why the directives in Ephesians 4:2 are so important: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” These qualities are essential for maintaining unity, especially in a communities like ours. Arrogance, impatience, and an unwillingness to bear with one another can break down our oneness in Christ and tear the body apart. As one writer puts it, “The lifeblood of this body is love.” Paul prayed in Ephesians 3 that believers would experience Christ’s love, and that prayer should inspire us to live out that love among one another in the church. These instructions from Paul are not just for our local congregation but for every little church everywhere. We are called to remain one, to live out our calling as members of the body of Christ. But unity does not mean uniformity. We don’t have to be exactly the same or copies of one another to live as the body of Christ. In fact, our diversity is what makes us strong. Each one of us has a role to play, with unique gifts that God has given, to serve as His one body.
Unity does not mean uniformity.
This principle applies not only to our local congregation but also to the broader church in our province, our country, and the world. Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is already connected as one body—a spiritual reality given by God to form the worldwide church. The entire church is called to give expression to this oneness.
Paul’s words are both a call to obedience and an encouragement. God has already made us one body; now it’s our responsibility to live it out. We are urged to build up this unity by being humble, gentle, and walking the extra mile with each other in love. This unity is a gift, and we must act to preserve and build it up, making sure it is not just a spiritual truth but a visible reality in our lives together. Living a life worthy of our calling means recognizing our role as members of the body of Christ. There will be times of friction, where we struggle to understand each other, but those differences also make our fellowship exciting and dynamic. God’s love, and our love for Christ, is what enables us to keep the fellowship healthy and united, even when challenges arise.
As members of Kopanong, the fellowship we share here may even be beneficial for the broader church in South Africa. The skills and experiences we gain in living together, despite our differences, could one day serve the congregations that God sends us to. As we continue our journey in this congregation, let us pray for God’s blessing, guidance, and empowerment to build up the unity here and now. And when the time comes for us to move on, may the experiences we’ve had here at Kopanong serve the body of Christ wherever we go. May the Lord bless you in the congregation He will one day send you to.
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