God created mankind to take dominion over the world, including the New Covenant world.

A primary way this mandate is carried out is through the work of the Church.

The Lord commissioned His Church to disciple the nations, by baptizing and teaching (Mt.28:18-20). 

And yet the work of the Church is severely stunted. 

That’s not to discount the effect the Gospel has had on our world over centuries.

But there’s an integral piece to our mission we’re missing today: 

Unity.

God has called us into one body (Eph. 4:4), but we’ve divided that one body throughout our history.

In His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays regarding believers “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us" (Jn. 17:21). 

And this oneness of mutual-indwelling is not for our sakes only, but that “the world may believe that You sent Me.” 

The 19th century Reformed theologian JW Nevin said “A Church without unity can neither conquer the world, nor sustain itself.” 

So the unity of the Church is essential to fulfilling the Dominion Mandate.

But what can you do? 

Not much, you might think. 

Neither you nor I have the power to convene a council where the Church’s doctrinal divisions can be overcome.

We may be convinced of our side in those divisions, but we can do little to convince others at times. 

But there is something more fundamental that we can and must do:

 

Love one another. 

“Love one another,” Jesus says. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

 

Despite our divisions, we are one body in Christ. So live in love.

How do you regard and treat your brothers and sisters within your congregation? 

What about your Christian neighbors from other denominations? 

We’re commanded to live in loving union with one another. 

This doesn’t mean there’s no place for loving correction at times, but all from a place of unity in Christ. 

And this unity is one of our chief witnesses to the world. 

Through loving unity, Jesus is proclaimed to the world to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

 

Jacob Hanby