Effective church leaders share a common vision and know where they’re going. They value what God values—Seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10). The Word (Colossians 3:16) and the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) fill them. Fulfilling the Great Commission drives them.
People follow passionate spiritual leaders. They buy into their visions, plans, and values. They want to be filled with the Word and the Holy Spirit. But unity can be a challenge.
Let’s consider how to achieve oneness in the church. Oneness characterizes healthy leaders and churches. We dare not underestimate how challenging that is to attain. We see no such oneness in Congress or anywhere else we look in society.
The standard is high. Christian leaders and followers worldwide must become one coordinated body of Christ with lubricating mutual love and forgiveness flowing like engine oil. That was part of Jesus’ prayer in John 17.
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me” (John 17:20–23 NLT).
There is a saying that visitors and fish begin to stink after three days. That underlines the great challenge in the church as people get closer to each other and their flaws surface.
They come from radically different backgrounds. They are naturally trying to both be accepted in the group and find their place within it. Competition arises. Tempers flare. Offenses happen. Not all of them are spiritually mature. Some of them are babbling like the spiritual babies they are.
It is far more difficult to achieve oneness among Christians worldwide. But that is what Jesus prays. He prays that His word and the Holy Spirit will fill them all because that is the sole path to unity. The Holy Spirit is the super glue that bonds many diverse parts into a unified whole.
The Holy Spirit’s encouragement enabled the early church to grow in numbers. Fear of the Lord among believers strengthened it (Acts 9:31).
The Spirit appoints church leaders. They must grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus. They must guard themselves and their flocks by feeding and shepherding them with God’s truth (Acts 20:28). “Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:14 NLT). God expects followers to submit to their leadership.
Free-floating, unaccountable Christians unconnected to a local church aren’t part of God’s plan. Without the protection of mature spiritual leaders, they are vulnerable to the devil’s deceptive lies and are like a foot separated from the rest of the body.
All believers collectively are the temple of God, and the Holy Spirit lives in them (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Jesus who was with the Twelve, by the Holy Spirit, indwells them.
As a signet ring identified the one who sealed an envelope with wax, the Holy Spirit is God’s mark of ownership. Christians belong to God and must honor Him with their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19). That includes doing their part to make the church, Christ’s body, beautiful.
The Holy Spirit erases distinctions among people and homogenizes Jews, Gentiles, slaves, and free people into one body. They all share Him (1 Corinthians 12:13, Philippians 2:1). He cleanses and empowers them to be a church where God lives. Such distinctions don’t matter. Peace and unity reign through the intentional efforts of each member (Ephesians 2:22, 4:3).
The Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit writes “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose” (Philippians 2:2 NLT). The body is “called to one glorious hope for the future” (Ephesians 4:4 NLT). The Holy Spirit empowers us to be the church characterized by oneness. See more about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.
God has empowered me to write “His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength.” It’s a free evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship eBook. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead more than 2,550 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 7,805 people. I invite you to check it out. https://www.christiangrowthresources.com/his-power-for-your-weakness
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