The church becomes more divided each day.

Many seek reassurance or perceived unity by creating doctrinal statements, but that misses the point. Doctrine is necessary, but it is not the solution.

In his new book Until Unity, New York Times best-selling author Francis Chan tells listeners that the real problem is shallow or even nonexistent love for each other. Do we truly understand the gospel? Do we believe in the miracle of the Holy Spirit in us? As believers, Christians are supposed to yield the fruit of supernatural love for one another. Instead, we allow jealousy and selfish ambition to prevail.

God hates this division between his children - and our indifference to it. He has provided the solution to the church through gifting of leaders to equip his people in a way that leads to “unity of the faith” - but not at the expense of truth or holiness. Believers have done a poor job at this, but we can hear the call and be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

Although the Bible commands unity, some will resist these unifying efforts. We see it every day. We have to hate sin, love truth, and pursue unity for the church. This is messy, but no matter what, Christians must give everything they have to the pursuit of a unified, restored Bride.