Thus far in this series we have considered strategic concepts such as center of gravity, aspects of planning, balance in relationships, and the elements of strategy itself. We have discussed the need to think critically as we study and process information. You should not just accept what others tell you, but study and discern the truth through inductive study.
The principle introduced in this lesson is critical in the effective effort we make to impact others for the glory of God. Let’s prayerfully consider UNITY OF EFFORT. We see this modeled in Jesus Christ’s life as he prayed “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” John 17: 20-21. We hear this plea in Jesus’ words to Jerusalem as he said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” Luke 19: 41 The apostles urged the church to strive for unity. Paul told the Ephesians, “make every effort to keep unity of the Spirit.” Ephesians 4: 3
NOTE: Unity of Effort is one of principles of war taught to young military officers. This is Lesson 6 of a 9 part study series that considers each of the principles of war and applies them to our spiritual lives.
The principle of Unity of Effort states that for every objective, there must be a unified effort and one person responsible for command decisions. How does this apply to our Christian life? Think for a moment of the much used adage, "United we stand, divided we fall." That short quote sums up the effectiveness of unity of effort. It recognizes that divided commands risk failure because they offer a greater potential for a loss of coordination of effort due to different perceptions of what the true objective is. By combining the concept of Center of Gravity and Unity of Effort we can coordinate our energies on what is really important – the salvation available to everyone because GOD loves us all. Great strength is provided by acknowledging our unified allegiance to GOD our creator and our King. Jesus lived, died, and lived again to make us heirs with him. Because of GOD's love and Christ's sacrifice, we are children of the King!
Critical Thinking Questions -
How are Jesus and God one? How can we be one in them? Paul told the Ephesians to "Make every effort to keep unity of the Spirit" Ephesians 4:3
What can we use to maintain 'Unity of Effort’? Consider Ephesians 4:2-7 Just as elite organizations share common training, trials, traditions, and dedication to a cause, Christians share a common heritage. "By one Spirit we are baptized into one body…" 1 Corinthians 12: 13
Unity without Uniformity We all have different attributes and skills. We learn in various ways. Some learn better by reading, others by hearing. Some learn best by seeing, while others (like me) learn through the experience of doing a thing. This does not mean that any one method is right and the others are wrong. The main thing is that we are striving to know GOD.
Unity of Effort is reflected Paul's words to the Corinthians, "There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men" 1 Corinthians 12:5-6 Read Paul's illustration of one body with many parts found in 1 Corinthians 12: 12-29. The text begins, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ."
- What does this mean to God? The familiar words Jesus in John 3: 16 should remind us that God loves all of us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Love is a unifying force. Paul urged Christians to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3: 13-14 We recognize that God is the true God and it is His desire that we be unified through the blood of His son, Jesus. Unity is a powerful force for the church (the whole church) which comes directly from the unity of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Unity binds us together throughout the generations.
- What does this mean to Christians? Consider Mark 9: 38-41. What would our reaction be to the report to Jesus when John said, “Teacher, we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” Does this sound familiar? Listen to Jesus’ reply, “Do not stop him, no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.”
- What does this mean to the Church? Please indulge me as I borrow a few paragraphs from Gene Shelburne’s book “The Quest for Unity.” He expressed this goal so effectively as he wrote,
"Christ established his church with the full intention that all who trust in his cross should be united in one Body. I am convinced that all of us who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, all of us who trust in his blood to cleanse our sins, all of us who believe that he died and was buried and then was raised from death for our eternal salvation should be one in Christ regardless of anything else we might disagree about. These core truths of the Christian faith should bind us together in him.
But they don’t always. Even in the first century when the apostles were still around to shepherd the churches, some Christians fancied that they were more “right” than others who followed Jesus. They dared to judge other believers and separate from them. To divisive Christians such as these the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 15:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, the, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
That this may one day come true for all the people who love God is my grandest dream…"
It is my prayer too.
In His Grace,
Dan
