We Are Stronger Together
UNITY MATTERS
“The great tragedy today is not so much that our society is still divided along racial, cultural, and class lines, but that God’s people, the church, are even more deeply divided. This disunity is Satan’s most powerful tool for crippling the influence of Christianity,” begins Chapter One of Tony Evans’ new book. He explains that unity is crucial if, for no other reason, of which there are many, it is the command of Christ: “God has brought together people who have a variety of likes and dislikes, interests, dreams, and baggage and asked us all not only to get along, but also to love one another.” Dr. Evans goes on to say that unity does not require believers to agree on everything, become more like each other, or ignore their differences. “Unity does not mean uniformity,” he explains. Rather, he believes, we are to celebrate differences as a wonderful variety of gifts and strengths for the Church.
BUT HOW?
Pastor Evans says the path to genuine unity is found by reaching beyond the barriers that divide us, starting with accepting one another just as we are. We need humility and personal holiness to walk this path, he explains. “Being meek or humble does not mean being wish-washy. It does not mean being indecisive. Nor does it mean getting walked on by others. Rather, meekness refers to strength under control.” When we’re humble, he says, we can act in ways which foster unity: corporate repentance, mutual service, embracing diversity, speaking life, extending empathy, relinquishing idols, forgiving each other, and avoiding the traps of affluence. “The church is the only authentic cross-racial, cross-cultural, cross-generational basis for oneness in existence. It is the only institution on earth obligated to live under God’s authority while enabled to do so through His Spirit.”
PRAYING FOR UNITY
Pastor Evans reminds us that every important movement in the history of Christianity was birthed by prayer. “Prayer in an invitation to heaven to address something going wrong on earth,” he says. “It’s calling on eternity to visit time. It’s giving heavenly permission for earthly intervention. Prayer is not the pregame; it is the game. It is not the preparation for battle; it is the war.”
The introduction of Stronger Together, Weaker Apart focuses on the armor of God presented in Ephesians, chapter six, and the purpose and proper use of each piece. Pastor Evans then concludes each chapter with six suggested prayers, one for each weapon of warfare. For example, in exhorting us to forgive those who’ve hurt us, he offers this prayer:
Take Up the Helmet of Salvation
“Lord, Satan wants to create division in the body of Christ by increasing our insecurities, jealousy, disagreements, and sense of competition. Rather than letting go and resting in the security that comes through identification with Jesus, we let the enemy promote doubt, fear, and envy among us. I resist and rebuke the enemy’s attacks in the name of Jesus. I am secure in Christ, and I am loved. Let everyone else who is in Christ also be assured of their full acceptance in You so they can then be used by You as an instrument of unity and love. In Christ’s name and by His authority, I pray this.”
To help us see our need to repent for disunity, he suggests this one:
Put On the Breastplate of Righteousness
“Father, disunity has left a crimson stain on our nation and the collective church body. Its origins stretch back to the beginning of time. I seek Your righteousness, which comes to us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Let Your righteousness cover our sins so that we may find Your grace, mercy, and healing from the consequences of what we have done. In Christ’s name and by His authority, I pray this.”
