Unity in the Truth
In our world, there are many perspectives on the topic of unity. It is often paired with feelings of happiness and bliss. While this may be true at times, it is surprising that one of the best examples of authentic unity in the Bible contains a wide range of emotions, including mourning. It begs the question, what is the true foundation of authentic Christian unity? The truth is found in something far deeper than feelings and stronger than circumstances.
Ezra’s Call for Unity
The biblical scribe Ezra had a calling which included wholehearted devotion, as he dedicated his life “to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel” (Ezra 7:10 NLT). It was only fitting then that after the wall around Jerusalem was complete, Ezra ministered to the crowd by proclaiming the words of God, unifying them in biblical truth.
The people had been scattered because of their rebellion for a long time but had now been called back to rebuilding the Holy City. Ezra’s teaching of Scripture was to unify the people in biblical truth.
This mission came with a cost. In Scripture, we read that Ezra wept for the people’s sins in intercession, yearning for them to live with reverence to God’s law. When the time came for his public proclamation, there were mixed responses of mourning, repentance and rejoicing. The people were united in something far greater than themselves.
Foundation of Community
The foundation of an authentic Christian community can only be the words of God Himself. In the book The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer wrote, “The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts.”[1] In a society that places a high value on feelings, subjectivity, and carefulness to not offend, it is necessary to be reminded that the foundation of unity is biblical truth, not our opinions. Consequently, this leads us to encounter God Himself through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Indeed, there will be a variety of responses. That is why Jesus was called the Prince of Peace, but also ensured His followers that the truth would bring division (Matt. 10:34).
Any compromise with the world, regardless of how small, will not result in people being truly unified as we were designed to be. Instead, it will only lead others onto what is an unstable ground. Historically, we observe the fall of many communities united in a lie and watch as the ground they stood on crumbled. However, when community is built on the truth of God’s Word, it will last forever (Matt. 16:17-18).
Steps Toward Authentic Community
Practically speaking, what does it look like for the community of believers to stand firm on Scripture? First, reading the Bible communally is essential for the continual harmony of Christ’s followers. It reminds believers exactly what we are unified in. Demonstrated in Ezra’s ministry, there is a very significant part of this process. The people were open and willing to be changed by God’s word, producing conviction, sorrow, joy, and fellowship.
Second, personal reading of the Scripture is equally as important. Tozer wrote, “So one hundred worshippers met together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and turn their eyes away from God and strive for closer fellowship.”[2] When we align ourselves with God, it undoubtedly changes how we interact with other believers.
Third, being surrounded by daily reminders of Scripture is meant to instill the values even deeper into our hearts. This idea is biblical, as the people of God were instructed to keep them within their hearts through everyday reminders such as conversations and the use of symbols (Deut. 6:6-9).
Fourth, we can be unified under God by allowing Scripture to be the absolute authority in our lives. When Ezra read the law, not only did they listen to his words, but the people allowed them to impact their hearts as well, which led them to repentance and joy. Biblical truth was not made only to exist within our heads but also to impact our hearts, shaping our values and beliefs, especially regarding community.
In the time we are living in, being unified in biblical truth is fully necessary. Let us draw near to God by examining His words, and He will undoubtedly draw us closer to one another.
God bless,
[1] A. W. Tozer, The Essential Tozer Collection, ed. James L. Snyder (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 2017), 19.
[2] Tozer, 88.
References
Tozer, A. W. The Essential Tozer Collection. Edited by James L. Snyder. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 2017.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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