The Basis of Unity

The basis for unity is obviously a common agreement of what is the truth. If people would just believe the Bible, there would be unity.

Others might say that the obvious basis for unity is love - just love one another. If you do that well enough, then the differences will disappear.

In churches like ours, we have typically opted more for option #1 than #2 - truth matters, and so does love. But we lead with truth. According to John 17, I’m not sure that that is right. Oh, I’m not saying that the truth takes a back seat. Jesus says, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” But He also desires that “the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them” (v.26). 

Think of it in terms of your own kids. You love them, but you are not always on the same page. You are concerned about healthy/unhealthy habits; or levels of (ir)responsibility; or how they are conducting relationships. But you love them. So you don’t say anything, right? Well, that might be the wise course of action in some cases, but if you really want what is best for your child, then there needs to be some tough conversations, even disagreements, that may even threaten unity. Why? Because you love them, and you want what is best for them. 

This is a big subject, too big for a one-pager. We cannot live our lives for one another, or take away the responsibility of making choices from our children. But love, which at times keeps silent, cannot always keep silent. Otherwise, you don’t have unity, just a false peace with many sleepless, worry-filled nights.

Now the trouble with leading with truth and then love is that Biblical agreement is never 100%. That’s why we have so many denominations. Some of that difference is due to sin, and things like ego and pride. Some of it is honest disagreement about what the Bible teaches. In the latter case, love acts as a healing balm, a restorative lubricant that allows people to worship and serve together in unity even when there is not total agreement.

So how should we say it? Truth and love? Or, love and truth. In light of John 17, as Jesus prays for His disciples - as He prays for us - He wants us to experience a kind of unity that befits God’s children, walking in truth, but bathed in love.