This world is full of division. Daily battles are waged in war and with words. The hills we are willing to die on seem to grow in number with each passing day. Glorying in our individuality, we hold and value our own desires, feelings, and beliefs above anyone else’s. This has resulted in an epidemic of loneliness as each person strives to be their “best self” and live their “best life” in an ethereal, unending quest for “happiness”.
God has called the Church to live in stark contrast to that hopeless, worldly backdrop. Unfortunately, we sometimes fall into the same divisive habits of the world – forming cliques, squabbling over frivolous things, and fighting for positions of perceived power. But our real calling is to glorify God as a living, breathing picture of community – a people submitted to God and to one another and united in the One who holds us together in holy mission and eternal hope.
Called to Be “One”
The Lord Jesus prayed that His followers would be “made perfect in one”, so that the world would know that He was sent by God to show God’s love and to offer forgiveness and eternal life to all who would trust in Him (John 17:23). The Church is called to be “the light of the world”, pointing people to the Father (see Matthew 5:14-16). That’s one, giant, unified light – sourced by the ultimate Light Himself (John 8:12).
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
The Apostle Paul listed seven unifiers for believers: we are one body, led by one Spirit, sharing one hope, trusting in one Lord, holding to one faith and one baptism for salvation, and serving one God and Father – the Source of all life (Ephesians 4:4-6). These keep us united in a clear vision of truth and purpose.
A Building
The Bible uses the picture of a building to describe God’s people who are to be united in this way.
“…you are God’s building…” (1 Corinthians 3:9). We are each “living stones” who are “being built up a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:4).
God is the architect of this holy construction project. He planned for Jesus Christ to bring the stability necessary for us to stand, and to stand together as one and to grow.
“Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (see Ephesians 2:19-22).
Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of this building, brings God and humanity together once again.
“He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17).
Maintenance Crew
We can only become a strong building when we remain unified in Christ, who holds us together. However, being unified does not mean that we all have the same role. You and I, as “living stones” have each been given unique gifts to add to the building’s integrity and beauty as it grows and expands in powerful testimony to a broken and dying world. These gifts are not to be squandered or hidden but rather put to practical use to strengthen and encourage one another as we live out this shared mission (see 1 Corinthians 12-13 and Romans 12).
These gifts come from the Spirit of God that dwells in us. He leads us, teaches us, and seals us for the day of redemption (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 4:30). The Holy Spirit equips us all for the work of ministry in the world. And we are called to be submitted to the Holy Spirit, seeking to build with “materials” that are precious, strong, and enduring, because on the Day of Judgment, our work will be judged for what it was (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).
Are we giving our best? Are we giving our all? Are we following God’s instructions? Are we representing Him well in the world through our unity and faithfulness?
The Completed Project
In God’s perfect wisdom, He established a variety of overseer roles to strengthen His Building of believers (see Ephesians 4:7-11). Apostles and prophets laid the foundation on the cornerstone of Christ. Evangelists preach the Gospel so more “living stones” can expand the structure. Pastors are like building supervisors, leading by example and protecting the integrity of the structure from being compromised with false teaching. Teachers reinforce the structure, equipping members for further spiritual growth and maturity – for it is the word of God that gives us strength (Psalm 119:28).
The Bible states these are all given “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:12).
But what exactly will the building look like when it’s finished? How will we know when it’s time to stop building?
“…till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:13).
That means there’s still a lot of building to do! Keep working, hand-in-hand, for the Lord! Look to Him always. He will hold us together and keep us strong.
“He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
