The importance of unity among any group of people cannot be overstated, especially among the body of Christ in the local church. Satan knows that if he can divide us, he can defeat us, and therefore, he works hard to cause divisions in the church. Often, these divisions are not about sinful things, but merely the result of small groups of people pursuing their own interests instead of working together with the entire body of Christ for the good of the whole church.
Paul addressed the urgency of unity in Philippians 1:27 when he said: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” It was his burden that the believers in the church at Philippi would be unified in their efforts to live out and to give out the gospel.
For this to happen, their conversation had to agree with the gospel. They had to behave in a way that demonstrated the beauty and holiness of the gospel that they believed. They had to cooperate with each other, being one in spirit and in mind. They had to be unified in a common cause, which was the promotion of the gospel of Jesus Christ and not their own personal agendas.
God has work for us to do in 2025, but unless we strive together, we will not be able to accomplish it. Each member must do their part by God’s grace. If we do not strive together, we will fall short of God’s best for us.