John 17:23 (AMP)  I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected and completed into one, so that the world may know [without any doubt] that You sent Me, and [that You] have loved them, just as You have loved Me.

How does the world know what real love is? Jesus tells us right here. Division in the church is not a sign to the world of what real love is. Social media, the news, even in our thoughts we are consumed with what divides us. Do you think the Father is pleased?

Galatians 5:14-15 (AMP) For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another.

Unity is a sign of His love flowing through His body (the church). Where there is strife, discord and resentment love cannot do its work in us. The early church was so mighty because of their love for each other, their reverence for God and their unity.

Acts 2:1 (NKJV) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

It is not enough to be in the same physical place; it is about our thoughts as well. I remember when our pastors decided to move our church from a small rural county road to a place within a larger city. The cost of the property and the amount of the property was quite large. Some men came against them and said that we did not need to purchase it and left. Some men left years later saying, we should never have moved there (after we could not afford it any longer). Were they right? Let’s look at an example in the Bible for the answer.

Before the day of Pentecost, Peter had come before the people saying they needed to pick a new apostle to replace Judas. What does he do? He says to pick out all of the men that had been with them since the beginning and they will cast lots. You can find this account in Acts 1. Two men were identified and Matthias gets chosen via casting a lot to be the new apostle. That’s the last we heard about that and him. Was that God’s chosen way of doing things? No. What happened though? They were unified, and after the Holy Spirit was received and because of their unification thousands were added to the church. What would have happened if there were some in the group who spoke up against casting lots? Unity was their expression of love. Eventually, we see that God picked Paul to be the next apostle.

Why are churches so divided over methods? The enemy likes an ineffective church. We become stagnant in our love for each other, seeking the best for each other, because we are too consumed with our methods being the best way. We say things like, “why are they having church at that time?” Or “I do not like the way they do things.” The only time we should speak up about something is if sin is permitted. Methods are not what should divide us. What happens if I do not agree with why we are doing something? I say get to know the heart of those leading (especially your pastor) and trust that they are hearing God. Another thing do not compare your church’s methods with the another’s. Do you want your church to make an impact? Unity draws blessings.

2 Corinthians 13:11 (AMP) Finally, believers, rejoice! Be made complete [be what you should be], be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace [enjoy the spiritual well-being experienced by believers who walk closely with God]; and the God of love and peace [the source of lovingkindness] will be with you.

Philippians 1:27 (AMP) Only [be sure to] lead your lives in a manner [that will be] worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I do come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit [and one purpose], with one mind striving side by side [as if in combat] for the faith of the gospel.

We are to be unified under the authority of the Word of God. Is it more important to be right than to be united? What could our church had done if those who were called to be with us did not leave just because they did not understand. What would have it cost the early church to be in disunity of the decision of Peter to cast lots? What would have happened if they demanded they use a different method? What if they would have done like Christ and fasted and prayed under their request? That method would have been correct; however, it would have come with a cost. It would have come with the cost of disunity; the outpouring of what God could do through the early church would have been minimal.

Look all through the books of Acts and it talks about decisions being made, the excitement and the unity, then the exponential growth. It takes a deep love to allow this to happen. Everyone would take ownership of the methods and there would not be an undertow of discontent.

I want to see lives impacted for eternity rather me having to be right all the time. I do not want my discontent to be a reason that we are not effective. I had asked God a couple of years ago how Connect Church can walk and live in a manner worthing of His calling. This is the verse that He gave me and I have been standing on it ever since.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (AMP) So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation], with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love. Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. 

If there is no unity there is no love abounding. God is love. He desires a unified church.