“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12, KJV)
The Divine Command to Love
When Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, He did not offer a suggestion or an optional virtue—He issued a command. Love is not merely an emotion; it is an act of obedience to the Lord. The unity of the body of Christ depends on this love, for without it, our fellowship becomes empty, our witness becomes dim, and our ministry becomes divided. Christian unity begins with a Christ-like love that lays down self for the good of the brethren.
Unity Rooted in Christ, Not Preference
True Christian unity is not formed by personal preference, cultural similarity, or shared personality. It is rooted in the person of Jesus Christ alone. Paul declares, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13). Every believer, redeemed by the blood of Christ, becomes a member of this one body. When we divide over trivialities, hurt feelings, positions, or preferences, we are not just separating from one another—we are working against the unity Christ prayed for in John 17.
The Witness of Unity in a Divided World
Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35).
Unity is more than internal harmony within the church; it is a testimony to the world that Christ truly transforms His people. In a generation marked by division, rage, and self-elevation, the church must shine as a prophetic witness of a different Kingdom—a Kingdom where humility, patience, forgiveness, and sacrificial love rule the hearts of God’s people.
The Barriers to Unity
Scripture warns us against the forces that destroy unity:
- Strife and division (1 Corinthians 3:3)
- Pride and self-exaltation (Proverbs 13:10)
- Gossip and whispering (Proverbs 16:28)
- Unforgiveness (Colossians 3:13)
When we allow these works of the flesh to rule, we grieve the Holy Spirit and fracture the body. Unity cannot thrive where self is enthroned.
The Way to Walk in Unity
The early church flourished because it embraced four essential attitudes:
- Humility – “Let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
- Meekness – Strength under control, refusing to retaliate or respond in anger.
- Forgiveness – Bearing with one another, as Christ forgave us.
- Love – The supreme bond that unites all virtues and all believers.
Unity is not accidental; it is intentional. It is cultivated through prayer, guarded through wisdom, and strengthened through continual obedience to Christ’s call to love.
A Prophetic Call for Today
The days are growing darker, and the return of Christ draws nearer. Now more than ever, the people of God must walk in unity. Division weakens our witness, hinders our prayers, and distracts us from our mission. But love—true, Christ-like love—binds us together as one body prepared for the coming King.
Let every believer hear the voice of the Lord today: Love one another. Stand together. Serve together. Forgive one another. Pray for one another. For we are brothers and sisters in Christ, called to unity for His glory.