What is oneness in Christ?
Opinion: Dr Stuart Laing.
The oneness of all believers in Christ is a spiritual reality, which God in his grace has already given us: if we belong by faith to Christ, we believers are one in Christ, sharing the same Spirit, same salvation, same call to follow Christ, and same future glory. As Augustine said, if we belong to the Head, we are part of the same Body. But how much we cherish and nurture that oneness is something that depends in part on us: we are urged to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit” (Eph.4:3).
What erodes our sense of oneness in Christ?
So many things! Our dispersion around the world, in countless different languages, cultures, and places. Our isolation in separate local churches. Our denominational distinctives (and pride), and our prejudices that other churches are defective, or spiritually lifeless. Our disagreements (sometimes justified) with other Christians on key matters of doctrine, and our disagreements on lesser matters. Our adoption of polarising views, or unbiblical ideologies, and our failure to listen or interact with gentleness and respect. Our tendency to assume other’s faults, or to regard some people with disdain, or to speak negatively about them.
What strengthens our oneness in Christ?
- being more serious – and less selective – about loving one another (Jn. 13:34-35)
- “bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2)
- with the Lord’s help, being willing to forgive (Eph. 4:32)
- praying for one another, including those who hurt us (Mt. 5:44)
- having a generous heart towards those Christian believers who we think may get some things wrong (Rom. 15:1–2)
- majoring on what we have in common, rather than quarrelling about matters where we differ (Rom. 14:1)
- seeing other churches not as rivals or competitors (Phil. 2:3-4), but as part of the same team, who we want to help build up
- seeking fellowship with believers from other churches and denominations
- joining with believers from other churches and denominations in prayer, mission, evangelism, and service to others
– Dr Stuart Lange-New Zealand Christian Network
