The Word for 2019: Unity
- Keith Haney
- Mar 6, 2019
- 2 min read
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, [1] John 17:22.
One of my readers picked the word unity for 2019. I love the word unity. The world would be a better place if we could all come together and move forward as one. What is the source of our unity? Can unity be a bad thing? It can. I love how Charles Spurgeon explains unity.
“A chorus of ecumenical voices keep harping the unity tune. What they are saying is, “Christians of all doctrinal shades and beliefs must come together in one visible organization, regardless… Unite, unite!” Such teaching is false, reckless and dangerous. Truth alone must determine our alignments. Truth comes before unity. Unity without truth is hazardous. Our Lord’s prayer in John 17 must be read in its full context. Look at verse 17: “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” Only those sanctified through the Word can be one in Christ. To teach otherwise is to betray the Gospel.” – Charles H. Spurgeon, The Essence of Separation, quoted in The Berean Call, July 1992, p. 4.
We must center unity on truth. Jesus wants us to live as children of God but united for the sake of unity. It unites us for a common purpose, as sent on a common mission, to proclaim the incontrovertible truth of God’s Word. As John reminds us in John 8:32. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” May this truth bring us unity.
Dear Lord,
Keep us I pray united around Your Truth. Guide our hearts and lives as we read Your Word and study the Bible. Prevent us, Lord, from being led astray into any false teachings sweeping through the Church today. Give us a discerning heart and help us to find faithful teachers who teach the whole council of God. May Your Word of Truth unite Your Church, around a common mission and a common purpose. May we grow in the grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.
[1]The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 17:22). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
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