How can church unity be achieved?

from the old testament

• Psalm 133:1 teaches, "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" Church unity is important to God.

from the new testament

• In His High Priestly Prayer (John 17:20–23), Jesus prayed that believers “may all be one,” just as He and the Father are one. He asked that this unity would show the world that God sent Him and that His love is in His people—demonstrating divine truth and love through their oneness.
• The apostle Paul focuses on the key to unity in Philippians 2. Philippians 2:3–5 observes, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." The keys to unity include humility, putting others first, and following the example of Christ.
• The example of Christ is articulated in the following verses (Philippians 2:6–8): "Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Jesus took the role of servant, even to the point of giving His life on behalf of those He loved.
• Another example of achieving unity is found in Ephesians 4:12–13: "To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Church leaders are to equip church members to serve Christ and one another. This humble service builds unity among the church that leads to maturity.
• Of great importance in Ephesians 4 is the emphasis on godly leadership. Ephesians 4:11 notes that the church's leaders were given by Christ to the church. These leaders are to be people of godly character, who lead their families well, have the ability to teach (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9), shepherd God's people, and live by example among them (1 Peter 5:1–4). When godly leaders live and serve humbly alongside God's people, God can grow a united church body that impacts a community and beyond.
• In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compares the body of Christ with the human body. He notes that every part is of equal importance and must work together in harmony for success.
• Unity must be based upon truth. In the church, the Bible is the basis for our shared beliefs about Jesus and other matters of faith. As 2 Timothy 3:16–17 teaches, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

implications for today

God calls believers to unity. When we live in unity, we reflect His character and love to the world. It is important to note, however, that unity does not mean uniformity. We are not all called to be exactly the same, to look the same, or to think the same. We are called to live biblically and righteously. We are called to be united in the purpose of reflecting God to the world. We are to be united in living for the kingdom of God. We are to be in unity in loving God and loving others. We are to live in unity by upholding the core doctrines of the Christian faith. Within that, there is room for much diversity. God created each of us individually with unique perspectives, backgrounds, gifts, and roles. When we each live faithfully for God and come together humbly in our differences, we can each reflect a unique piece of who God is to the world. Together, we paint a beautiful picture of the fullness of God’s character and purposes.