Christian Unity is God-Glorifying

The ultimate aim of our unity as Christians is the glory of God. That is, to worship, honor, and exalt Him with one voice. Listen to how Paul closes his letter to the Romans:

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God (Romans 15:5–7 ESV).

The reason we need endurance and encouragement from God is so that we can live in harmony with one another. And the reason for living in harmony with one another is to “with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” For this reason, Paul argues, we should welcome one another with the same love and tenderness with which Christ welcomed us, because this kind of welcoming brings about the harmony and unity that gives glory to God.

Only Christian unity offers these kinds of reasons for pursuing unity. The glory of God is not the aim of the United Nations or the European Union. It is not the goal of the numerous foundations for global peace. They may be seeking various noble ends, but those ends will fall well short of the glory of God. The church gathers in order to enjoy and exalt Jesus Christ. The whole world was created by His word. We owe our salvation to Him. Through Him we are welcomed into the family of God forever, and so He has given us endless reasons to praise and worship Him. This distinguishes our unity from all the other attempts at unity across the history of the world.

Consider one main point of application: live your life for the glory of God. Make the pleasure of God your primary aim in life. Long for Jesus to be magnified in your relationships rather than yourself. Welcome other Christians as He welcomes you. Love other Christians as He loves you. If your life is devoted to the glory of God, then dwelling in unity with your brothers and sisters in Christ becomes less a burden and more an absolute joy.