Pursuing Unity with Humility

Unity in the church is both a gift and a pursuit. The gift part of unity comes in Christ, for “we, though many, are one body in Christ” (Rom. 12:5). Through Christ, the typical barriers in the world that hinder unity are torn down, because in Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). There is no political regime or social effort that can come close to accomplishing the kind of unity that Christ purchased at his cross for his people.

Any unity we pursue, then, is based on the unity already purchased. But that does not mean that the experience of unity is a foregone conclusion. Division and strife are scattered across the pages of the NT. The dynamic ministry duo of Paul and Barnabas was broken over a sharp disagreement (Acts 15:39), the church at Corinth was divided over preferences in teachers (1 Cor. 1:10-12), and two disputing women at Philippi’s church were instructed to agree in the Lord (Phil. 4:2-3). The threat to experiencing unity is real. So, we as believers are called to pursue unity: “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness…, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3). Let’s consider one way we maintain the precious gift of unity.

Continued unity in the church depends on each member cultivating a humble disposition. Right after the Philippians are exhorted to be “in full accord and of one mind” (Phil. 2:2), they are further told, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (2:3). This is one of the most challenging commands of Scripture because it hits us right between the eyes of our pride. Our basic disposition ought to be, “Others are more important.” But if we’re honest, it usually is, “I am most important.” Would you rather be in a church where everyone lives as though others are more important or where everyone thinks they are king of their own domain?

Selfish ambition is the attitude of, “My kingdom come, my will be done.” It is the attitude of Diotrephes, “who likes to put himself first” (3 John 1:9). This wreaks havoc on unity because everyone is rallied to unite around your preferences, wishes, and demands. But we already have one Lord, and he has not put out a help-wanted sign.

On the other hand, humility is, according to one definition, “opposed to the attitude or projection of self-importance.” Humility takes the time to consider and come to the decision, “others are more important than me.” This means that the humble person makes the ongoing decision to regard other people as having a superior rank to themselves. You could be a CEO and your brother in Christ is a lowly janitor, but in the church, your CEO title gets exchanged for lowly servant and you are to regard your brother as a prince.

When pride is stripped away, unity can flourish. Where is unity with others in your life snagging on the protruding nail of pride? Exchange your attitude today with the one of the Lord Jesus Christ, who humbled himself, “by taking the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:7).