The Unity of Community

Speaking of God’s unity in the three persons of the Trinity as a “unity of community,” A.J. Conyers draws attention to the fact that the church reflects this same attribute in herself. The church is a unified body made up of many parts. What is the unifying factor? Conyers says,

The church reflects this same language when considering herself one. It is not the oneness of an administrative unit; nor is it one in the sense of an imposed monolithic identity. Instead it is the oneness of hearts drawn together in mutual love, and the oneness of people sharing in community because of their willing devotion to God through Christ. It is a unity not based upon obligation but upon kindred desire. It is a unity not based upon tradition (not that this does not play an important part in the historical and visible church), but based essentially upon a common hope. It is a unity that ties together those of disparate pasts in a united destiny; so that while the differences of our pasts often separate people and cause them to fail in understanding one another, the common point of reference in the future for those who are in Christ binds believers together in mutual sympathies and growing common desires. The values of historically separate communities begin to conform to the higher values of a community anticipating the ultimate reign of Christ.

This is a beautiful statement and reality. As Christians, we are united by something that goes beyond friendship or even blood. Our bond can never be killed or taken away. It is a bond sealed by the Holy Spirit whom has come into us by way of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We all wait in anticipation of the day when Christ shall return to claim his bride. Together, we are his bride. Together, we have this hope. We are a unity of community bonded by the blood of Christ and the hope of his second coming.