[This is my first post of three in my “Vintage Wednesday” series on “Unity in Diversity,” re-written/updated from a blogpost back in February of 2011.]

I’ve often experienced diversity and beauty in the body of Christ. For example, a roomful of guys from different backgrounds sharing their dreams about reaching a broken world. Or a group of students from different nations of Southeast Asia, all attempting to decipher their role in the Kingdom as they study together in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Or a couple with three children—two adopted from China and one biological—who have taken a foreign exchange student into their home and are open to moving overseas to make God famous among the unreached. All seeking the heart of God, all pursuing His higher purposes for their lives. Though not like me, all are Christ-followers with whom I experienced a oneness and joy.

I’ve taught numerous times on the issue of God’s greatest glory being reached when He unites all the diversity on the planet under the one umbrella of Jesus Christ. I’ve seen my vision of God expand each time I worship Him with people from differing perspectives and cultures. I’ve also been enriched in my Christian walk by learning from people of varying ethnicities and Christian backgrounds.

Unity is good, pleasant, and refreshing, David points out in his 133rd Psalm. It is there that “the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore” (vs. 3). Unity is also a major theme in the New Testament. Jesus prays for it three times in His classic prayer found in John 17. Paul mentions it over and over again. Yet we still don’t seem to really get it. As one of my friends once commented, “It is unfortunate that we take time out of our busy schedule fighting the devil to fight each other.”

So what about unity without a foundation of truth? Great question! Tune in next time as we consider the basis for true Christian unity.