The Voltron Effect

So...The Voltron Effect...a curious topic, huh? "What is Volton?", some of you might be wondering. Yet some of you already know what or who I'm referring to. Voltron is a cool superhero from the popular 80's animation series, "Voltron: Defender Of The Universe". I loved this animation growing up, and I must admit, I still love it (I guess the child in me is still very much alive...LOL!). I loved everything about this animation, but one of the most exciting parts was the formation of Voltron. This short video clip should give you a glimpse of what I am talking about (It's about 1 minute so please bear with me):

Now that's very cool, isn't it? Five ordinary kids coming together and becoming one powerful defender of the universe. This reminds me of what the Body Of Christ looks like when it is unified. The fight for unity in the Body of Christ has been one frought with much difficulty. Why is that? Why is there so much division in the church? Why can't we all just get along? It is of utmost importance that we, as the Body of Christ learn how to become one body, especially in these last days, afterall, where there is unity, there is a commanded blessing.

The Apostle Paul contended with this lack of unity as he strove to remove the factions and divisions springing up in the Corinthian church. He writes, "...just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all it's many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we are all baptised by one spirit so as to form one body...whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free..even so the body is not made up of one part but many." [1 Corinthians 12:12-14, NIV]. It breaks my heart when I see churches, ministries, and people competing with each other, or judging each other, forgetting that though we have not all been called to do the same thing, or minister the same way, we have been called by Almighty God. There is beauty in diversity and even in diversity, there can be unity, as the Apostle Paul reveals in the scripture above. Jesus said, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand..." (Matthew 12:25, NKJV). Thus if we desire to be effective ministers of God's grace, we will have to do all we can to foster unity in the Body of Christ. 

So, what does unity really entail? The dictionary defines unity as "the state of being one; oneness of mind, feeling, etc., as among a number of persons; concord, harmony, or agreement." (Dictionary.com). We see such unity in action with the building of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. At that time, everyone spoke one language and were of the same mind and purpose. Then they decide to build a city for themselves that reached the heavens. A seemingly impossible task becomes possible because they were united. God then affirms the power of unity when He says,“The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!"  (Genesis 11:6, New Living Translation, emphasis mine). 

The early church as described in Acts, is an example of the power of unity and because they were of one mind and one purpose, there was a massive spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, thus fulfilling the great commission, and bringing great damage to the kingdom of darkness. Jesus understood the importance of such unity when He prayed, "I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me...May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me." (John 17:21-23, NLT). 

So, how can we foster unity in the Body of Christ? Here are some practical tips:

• Love: This is the single, most important key in fostering unity. The bible says that: love is the fulfillment of the Law ("Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law..." Romans 13:8, NKJV); Love covers a multitude of sins (Proverbs 10:12); Our love for each other that proves to the world that  we belong to God (John 13:34-35).

• Avoid disputes over minor/doubtful things: It's important that we focus on the things that bind us together, that is, the truths of the word of God, and not dispute over "doubtful things" as the Apostle Paul puts it (Romans 14:1-6). Let's major on the majors (like the fact that salvation can only come through Jesus Christ) and minor on the minors/doubtful things (reasonings, opinions, what day we should be worshiping, what foods we should be eating, etc), for "the kingdom of God does not consist of external things like food, but in spiritual realities like righteousness in action and thought, peace that seeks harmony, and joy that comes from the Holy Spirit (Romams 14:17, NKJV study bible commentary). 

• Avoid divisive people: "Now I urge you...note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests." (Romans 16:17-18, NKJV + NLT). Divisive people have this uncanny way of destroying the peace and unity of the church. As such, lets follow the Apostle Paul's advice to stay away from them, and any kind of strife that would try to rear its ugly head. 

The Apostle Paul again writes, "Therefore I...beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling...Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit...There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all." (Ephesians 4:1-6, NLT, emphasis mine). 

When we endeavor to come together in unity, with voltron-like intensity, we'll be able to do demolish the kingdom of darkness, and fulfill our purpose here on this earth. My prayer for us as a body is this:

"Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:5-6).

Let this be your prayer too.