Ephesians 4:13
“until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
The context of this passage is that when Jesus rose He gave gifts to His children for the work of the ministry. Today's passage lists the goals. The first is unity of the faith.
David spoke of it in Psalm 133:1, "A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" It is a blessing to gather in unity.
Titus 3:9 tells us how to remain unified, "But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless." Our speech should be edifying. Ephesians 4:29 tells us what to talk about, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."
Do we ever speak about controversial matters? Yes, the gospel. It is divisive, but God tells us to do so. It's life saving. I've heard the analogy that it's worth it to awake someone out of comforting sleep if their house is on fire. They would wake up irritated, but would understand. So also, all need to hear of Christ.
Jesus says something quite surprising in Matthew 10:34, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." He gives some explanation a few verses later, "The one who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me", (v. 37). Jesus came to reconcile the world to Himself. Coming to Him is accepting allegiance to Him. There are to be "no other gods before Him". We are to be unified in that.
Jesus also expects our behavior to align with His. He helps with this. We have His Word which tells us how to act and His Holy Spirit to fill us, prompt us and to empower us. We are to be unified in belief and in action. If we don't comply, then we aren't on His team.
Those in the church that don't comply with biblical standards are to be corrected. "Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that ON THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY MATTER MAY BE CONFIRMED. And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector", (Matthew 18:15-17).
This unity requires effort to be maintained. We avoid meaningless controversies, but demand love and orthodoxy. The world wants us to put our standards aside. It's hypocritical, for they have their standards, in which they demand compliance. We are to love all and seek to woo them, but they need to bow at the cross.
We are to major on the majors. All denominations have menial differences. Those aren't to be fought over. Love should be our dominate trait. When we encounter ground to stand on, we still do so lovingly.
When we fight for standards, we are protecting the sheep. We keep out much temptation by doing so.
Lord, thank You for this unity. Thank You that Your are working towards it. Give us the courage and wisdom also to word towards it.