Eph 5:30-32 shows us that we are one flesh with Chirst.  In one flesh you have union.  Eph 5:32 this is a mystery concerning Christ and the church.  We see this clearly in 1 Cor 12:12-27.  We are one body with many members.  In 1 Cor 12:20-25, Christ desires no schism in the body.  Likewise, he want no schism in a local church.  He wants unity.  We develop unity in our local church:

By depending on each other

We need each other – 1 Cor 12:21-22.  The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee.  In 1 Cor 12:22 the seemingly more feeble members are necessary.  

You can see a great example in Mary and Martha.  In Lk 10:38-42, Martha was mad at Mary for sitting at the feet of Jesus.  Martha was criticizing Mary.  Mary’s part was better.  But by Jn 12:2-3, Martha was comfortable serving while Mary worshipped Jesus.  Mary needed Martha to serve so she could anoint Jesus.  Mary worshipped without distraction while Martha served without distraction.  By depending on each other there was unity in their service.

In Eph 4:16 every joint supplieth… every part works.  Look for ways that other members can help you do what you do better.  And look for ways you can help them do what they do better.

By honoring each other

We honor each other – 1 Cor 12:23-24.  God hath tempered the body together.  I believe he also leads you to the local church that he wants you to be a member of, if you follow him.  As in marriage, what therefore God hath joined together let not man put asunder.  

You should bestow more abundant honor on the more uncomely parts.  We give more abundant honor to that part which lacked. 

Members often criticize the differences that they see in others, and that they don’t see in themselves.  You must realize that some of these weaknesses that you can see in each other aren’t going away.  You cannot change one another’s weaknesses by griping about them.  We can help each other by training, discipleship, teaching, etc.  But unless the person who has the weakness can and will change it, it isn’t going away.  

However, if their area of weakness happens to be your area of strength, then you have a balance in your relationship that can actually be healthy.  Look for ways these differences complement each other, rather than for ways to change them in the other person.

By caring for each other

We care for each other – 1 Cor 12:25. The members should have the same care one for another.  You won’t if you are putting down each other’s weaknesses and differences.

Don’t be critical or judgmental of the differences in your fellow members.  Your personalities are different.  Appreciate and accommodate the differences and thereby develop unity. 

A fellow among us couldn’t really understand the Bible by reading it.  Reading has always been a challenge for him.  So, I suggested that he read while listening to Scourby.  Then, I taught him how to use the resources on our website.  He has listened to broadcasts and lessons over and over.  And he has learned a lot of Bible this way.  We have also met together on numerous occasions to talk over things he is learning.  As a result, he has become a great witness for Jesus.  This is just one example of how caring for another member has helped him.

We develop unity in our church by realizing that our strengths and weaknesses and our differences actually complement each other.

For another message on unity, see Keep The Unity.