Unity. body-Part 1

So……

Unity….. The topic that has been getting a lot of traction over the last decade and will rightfully continue to get more as the days continue.

Let me set pace by giving the Merriam-Webster definition :

Unity

1a: the quality or state of not being multiple : ONENESS

b: a definite amount taken as one or for which 1 is made to stand in calculation

(2): IDENTITY ELEMENT

2a: a condition of harmony : ACCORD

b: continuity without deviation or change (as in purpose or action)

3a: the quality or state of being made one : UNIFICATION

b: a combination or ordering of parts in a literary or artistic production that constitutes a whole or promotes an undivided total effect

4: a totality of related parts : an entity that is a complex or systematic whole

And then for those of you that want the biblical pretext, context, postext (and teletext lol) in Hebrew:

STRONGS H3162: Yaḥaḏ

יַ֫חַד 45 noun [masculine] unitedness.

1. as substantive only 1 Chronicles 12:17 (peculiar) יִהְיֶהלִּֿי עֲלֵיכֶֹם לֵבָב לֳי֑חַד I will have a heart toward you for unitedness, i.e. my heart shall be ready to become one with yours (compare 1 Chronicles 12:38 לב אחד).

2. elsewhere always in accusative as adverb in union, together (compare Arabic

in accusative with suffix in his solitariness = alone) —

a. together, of community in action, place, or time (often combined, but one usually more prominent than the others);

(1) in action, Job 38:7 בְּרָןיַֿחַד כּוֺכְבֵי אֵל when the stars of God shouted together; Ezra 4:3 we together will build (opposed to you), with נִלְחַם 1 Samuel 17:10, נִשְׁפַּט Isaiah 43:26;

(2) in place 1 Samuel 11:11 ולא נשׁארו בם שׁנים יָ֑חַד; 2 Samuel 10:15 וַיֵּאָֽסְפוּ יָחַ֑ד Psalm 2:2; Psalm 31:14; Psalm 88:18 Psalm 133:1 שֶׁבֶת יַחַד Isaiah 50:8, as predicate Micah 2:12 יַחַד אֲשִׂימֶנּוּ;

(3) in place and time at once. 2 Samuel 21:9 וַיִּפְּלוּ יָ֑חַד and they perished together, 2 Samuel 14:16 to destroy אתי ואת בני יחד;

(4) of time alone (poetry) Isaiah 42:14 אֶשֹּׁם וְאֶשְׁאַף יחד I will gasp and pant together, Isaiah 45:8; Job 6:2; Job 17:16 **read נֵחָ֑ת for יַחַ֑ת; יַחַד here will then belong to (1); Psalm 141:10 יחד אנכי עד אעבור while I at the same time pass on.

b. all together, altogether (poetic synonym of כֻּלָּם but more forcible, suggesting often, especially with כל, all at once, as well as altogether), Isaiah 44:11 יפחדו יבשׁו יחד (compare Psalm 40:15), Psalm 62:10 הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יַחַד they are all together (made) of vanity, Isaiah 22:3 כל קציניך נדדו יחד (with כל also Psalm 41:8; Job 34:15): often in poetry beginning a clause with emphasis, Deuteronomy 33:5; Job 3:18 יחד אסירים שׁאננו Job 16:10; Job 19:12 יחד יבאו גדודיו, Job 24:4; Job 31:38; Psalm 41:8; Psalm 98:8; Hosea 11:7 (with a negative), Hosea 11:8; in connection with a suffix, or object of a verb, Isaiah 27:4 אציתנה יָ֑חַד I will burn it altogether, Psalm 33:15 הַיֹּצֵר יַחַד לִבָּם who formeth the hearts of them all together, Psalm 74:6; Psalm 74:8; Job 10:8 יַחַד סָבִיב altogether round about (but read perhaps with

Del Di אַחַר תִסּוֺב), Job 40:13.

c. together, in the sense of alike, the one as well as the other, Psalm 49:3; Psalm 49:11 יחד כסיל ובער יאבדו Job 21:26; Job 34:29. More frequent is

יַחְדָּו 92 (Jeremiah 46:12, 21; 49:3 יַחְדָּיו), adverb together (properly (in) his or its unitednesses alone; and for the form אַשְׁרָיו), but, the origin of the term. being forgotten, applied generally as an adverb, without regard to number, gender, or person: so Ges Ol§ 135c Sta§ 370a) — together:

a. of community in action, Psalm 34:4 ונרוממה שׁמו יחדו let us exalt his name together, Isaiah 52:9, with נוֺעַץ take counsel, Isaiah 45:21; Psalm 71:10; Psalm 83:6; Nehemiah 6:7; נִצָּה to struggle Deuteronomy 25:11; in place, as with ישׁב Genesis 13:6; Deuteronomy 25:5, הלך Genesis 22:6, 8; Amos 3:3, בוא Jeremiah 3:18; Job 9:32, קרב Isaiah 41:1, נפל 2 Samuel 2:16, אכל Judges 19:6; Jeremiah 41:1, התקבץ Joshua 9:2, נאסף Judges 6:33, etc.; Deuteronomy 22:10 בשׁור ובחמור יחדו coupling pairs, and so strengthening וְ (mostly in poetry), Deuteronomy 22:11; Amos 1:15 הוא ושׂריו יחדו (compare Jeremiah 48:7 Qr [Kt יחד], Jeremiah 49:3) Jeremiah 6:11, 12 שׂדות ונשׁים י׳, Jeremiah 6:21 (accents), Jeremiah 13:14; Jeremiah 31:8, 13; Jeremiah 50:4, 33; Isaiah 41:19, compare Isaiah 65:7; in time (rare: but see below), Psalm 4:9 [Psalm 4:8] in peace יחדו אשׁכבה ואישׁן will I at once lie down and sleep (i.e. lie down and fall asleep immediately).

b. emphatic (especially in poetry) = all together 1 Samuel 31:6; Isaiah 10:8 הלא שׂרי יחדו מלכים are not my princes all together, all alike, kings? Isaiah 18:6; Isaiah 40:5; Isaiah 41:20, 23; Isaiah 45:16 (|| כֻּלָּם), Isaiah 46:2 קרסו כרעו יחדו, Isaiah 48:13; Isaiah 66:17; Psalm 14:3 (|| הַכֹּל), Psalm 19:10 צדקו יחדו (of J.’s ordinances), Psalm 35:26; Psalm 37:38; sometimes (like יַחַד b) suggesting all at once, as well as all together, Exodus 19:8 ויענו כל העם יחדו (so, with כל, Isaiah 22:3; Isaiah 31:3; Zechariah 10:4), Isaiah 1:28, 31 ובערו שׁניהם יחדו. Prefixed to a clause (like יחד), Deuteronomy 33:17 (compare יחד Deuteronomy 33:5), Isaiah 9:20; Isaiah 11:7, 14; Isaiah 31:3; Isaiah 43:17; Isaiah 45:16; Isaiah 52:8; Jeremiah 46:12; Jeremiah 51:38; Lamentations 2:8; Job 24:17 (strengthening לָמוֺ)

c. alike, the one as well as the other, Deuteronomy 12:22 (= Deuteronomy 15:22) the unclean and the clean alike may eat it, 1 Samuel 30:24 יַחְדָּו יַחֲֽֽֽלֹקוּ׃ they shall share together, i.e. alike

This unity word is a word that has been overly used, misused and abused within the Christian context or landscape. It has been misappropriated and used to take advantage of the genuine, the vulnerable and many that are new to the understanding of the word itself. In some cases, unity has been dismissed by some schools of thought because that would mean that they would have to work alongside some schools of thought, denominations or churches that they may disagree with. Some of the disagreements may be on fundamental theological matters i.e Salvation, God’s nature, The Trinity, the validity of scriptures, which I can understand why there would be an unwillingness. In some cases the disagreements are based that are based on secondary theological matters, topics that hold no weight in relation to the topic of God, His plan for salvation or the validity of the written word (the Holy Scriptures). Some example topics could be things like tattoos, sabbath day, Christian liberties, tithing, women in leadership and spiritual gifts. Apart from pride and fear of the unknown, I can’t think of many reasons as to why Christians would be against walking together in the unity of the faith for the greater good, of displaying God’s glory in the world, simply because they don’t see eye-to-eye on secondary theological. And to make it clear, neither pride or fear of change are biblical justifications for not walking in unity with brothers and sisters in the faith.

We also have seen that across the world it has empowered God’s people across different streams, denominations, ethnicities, ages and backgrounds to come together an effective conduit of God’s kingdom in the earth. It is a beautiful thing to witness and sometimes it just doesn’t get the recognition that it ought to.

Unity outside of Christ has a cause, but in Christ, unity is not necessarily a cause but a natural function. No gift , no part has context outside of the body (of Christ). I may not be next to you physically, directly connected to your social network or be related to you, but in some way, shape or form I must still recognise and acknowledge that you are needed.

Unity of the body is more important than we understand it because, it is our context , it is our world and it ought to be our reality .Walking in disunity and disharmony breaks the equilibrium.

I’ve noted 10 key things that I believe the body is sustained by:

1. Body parts
2. Healthy body parts
3. Functioning body parts
4. Connectivity between the body parts
5. Functioning systems that relate to each of the body parts
6. Proper usage/utilisation of the relevant body parts
7. Arrangement/ placement of body parts
8. Greater care for the weaker/sensitive parts
9. Maintenance of body parts
10. Protective mechanisms for the body parts

(I might dedicate a post to break down the 10 points… let’s see eh)

Before the body does , the body must first be.

Unity in the body is not practiced, you either live it or you don’t. There has been a notion that us a believers “practice” unity and I know I have slipped into using that language towards unity. Though it can be deemed as semantics, we can subconsciously fall into the trap of reframing what biblical unity ought to be.

Jesus didn’t practice unity with the Father . He strengthened himself in the secret place and his public appearances were only a reflection of a reality he was committed to. ( John 10:30, John1:1, John 8:29 Deuteronomy 6:4 )

His union with the Father caused him to BE before he DID. (Matthew 3:17)

We’ve had to resort to making unity a matter of “initiatives” because we have deviated from the way. We look at unity within the body of Christ like one of the last points of a meeting agenda. It’s not a priority for many believers because it has not been presented as a priority to the wider church community, neither is it advertised as core function in the basic operation of believers within the body of Christ — really disappointing.

Over the next few posts I’m going to diagnose some of the reasons as why we as believers are failing in this area of Christian unity and present some practical and sustainable solutions to usher in positive change within the Christian landscape.

1. Lack of self-value

There are many that disqualify themselves from unity conversation because they see no importance in themselves- who they are and what they do.

A lot of the time, these kind of people will compare themselves to another body part. Another gift, another anointed person, someone that is more spiritual than them as well as other things and discount themselves because they feel as though what they perceive as important part ought to be recognised. The problem with this kind of thinking is that the body is not made up of one or two important parts. The human body is not made up of eyes and legs alone. It’s now time that people recognise and understand their importance in Christ (cliche statement eh). Problem is, this statement is more broader than what you may understand .

Understanding your identity is 3 fold

1. Your identity in the person of Christ
2. Your identity in the global body of Christ
3. Your identity in the local body of Christ

Understanding point 1 will then give insight on 2&3

Your identity in the person of Christ provides the illumination you need to help recognise the gift(s) you are in the global body and the local body (Ephesians 1:18). It could be that you’re a great encourager, a great supporter, someone that is so generous, someone that cooks for others and passionately prays for others, whatever it may be you are important and there is a space for you to play your part in Gods plan.

I also believe the the over reliance / hyper-focus on specific parts add to the narrative of those feeling less importance . Pentecostal theology is not more important than baptist theology, spontaneous worship is not more important than old school hymns, mega-churches are not better than small churches or house churches. Being called to the 5-fold offices of Jesus Christ (Evangeslist, Pastor, Teacher, Prophet and Apostle in Ephesians 4:11) does not mean that everyone else who isn’t called to one of those offices have no value. I need my peers in Christian ministry to really assess my last point. My calling as an Apostle of Jesus still requires me to be humble and show honour to my brothers in the faith (title or no title). Everything God-ordained has its place in Christ and should be respected not intrinsically because of ourselves, but rather because of who Jesus is in us.

Here are some affirming statements from scripture for every believer that should be a grounding reminder in the area of self-value:

• I am strong in the Lord and the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10)
• I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
• I am a new creation in Jesus Christ, the old has gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• I am The Father’s workmanship, created for his good pleasure (Ephesians 3:20)
• The kingdom of God lives in me and functions through me (Luke 17:21)
• I am a beneficiary of God’s love grace and mercy (Ephesians 2:4)
• As a child of God, I have been bestowed power and authority by The Father (John12:1)
• I am a member of the body of Christ and I have an important part to play (Romans 12:5)
• God has gifted me from His great variety of spiritual gifts. I am gifted and I am gifted to serve (1 Peter 4:10)
• God chose me to be in Him before the foundations of the earth (Ephesians 1:4)

So as we round up, lets get practical!

5 practical steps

1. Take inventory of the skills, talents and strengths you possess.
2. Prayerfully look at how you can use these things on a daily basis with believers in close proximity (Later on you can look at how you can push this out to the wider body of Christ).
3. Take joy in what you do for Jesus, He paid a great price for you and The Father is glorified in the public recognition of your good works.
4. Consistently remind yourself of God’s steadfast Word concerning your life. Meditate on it and allow those words to become life in you.
5. In your local church, look for a need that you can consistently commit to, you don’t need to be an expert, just willing. You can add value by meeting a need. Service adds value to others but also empowers you to see the value you bring to the context you’re in.

I hope this spoke to you and I hope it’s challenged you on a practical level — There is work to do :)

“Make sure you take time to reflect- inspect- take account in retrospect. When you prayerfully introspect then you’ll see the bigger picture as the dots connect”

Love & Peace from Above — GC