Unity

I've been thinking a lot about unity lately, partially because I see a lot of division around me, and partly because this is the recent topic in theology. Ephesians 4:3-6 says "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Therefore my Question has been over and over why are we so divided? The more I thought about this, read scripture verses, and studied this topic the more I began to realize we are humans. In theology we talk about matters of dogma, which are essential to salvation, and then doctrine, which is what congregations personally believe. Bottom line is were all going to slightly differ on what we believe, and there will never be complete unity of thought on earth. However, I am by no means stating we should then have all of our own separate churches, and never come together due to disagreements. Like I said before we all hold these matters of dogma that can unite us all. In other words we all believe the Gospel message so as churches we need to start to set aside our differences and become unified. We are not supposed to be separate bodies of believers unified in our own separate churches, we are to be one unified body of believers. That means churches should come together to serve the community, or have worship services together, and well there's so much more. Millard Erickson said "we are to realize that the church of Jesus Christ is ONE church. All who are related to the one Savior and Lord are indeed part of the same spiritual body," he goes on further to say "Christians of all types should work together whenever possible. If no essential point of doctrine or practice is compromised they should join forces." After all when we are unified we will have a much more powerful witness (John 17:21).

So yes this is what I like to think about late at night, and this is what I am currently praying for. I want us all to come together so we can expand the Kingdom of Heaven.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmTeN6zLJYs
Also when thinking about unity Flower City Work Camp came to mind. Once a year all the youth from churches in Rochester get together to serve community. This is a clear example of Unity :)