Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
Sequeira grounds church unity not in committee resolutions but in the cross, where Satan's self-centered principle — the very root of all human division — was condemned and broken. Drawing on Paul's body metaphor, he shows that in Christ no member is superior, gifts differ but status does not, and unity already exists as an accomplished fact needing only to be lived out. He traces divisions of race, class, and nationality to the self-principle introduced at the Fall and shows how the cross tore down 'the dividing wall of hostility' between hostile groups like Jews and Gentiles. Citing the tragic failure of unity during the Rwandan genocide, he pleads for the church to actually live what Christ has already accomplished. True unity, he argues, comes only as each believer submits to Christ as Head, exactly as the human body's members submit to direction from the head.
Key points
- Church unity is grounded in Christ's cross, which condemned and broke Satan's self-centered principle at the root of all division.
- In the body of Christ, spiritual gifts differ but no member holds higher spiritual status than another.
- The cross tore down 'the dividing wall of hostility' between groups like Jews and Gentiles, and by extension all racial and social divisions.
- Unity is not something believers must produce by programs, but something already accomplished in Christ that they are called to live out by submitting to Him as Head.
Key texts
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
- Galatians 3:28
- Ephesians 2:14-16
From the book
Chapter 11 · Belief 14 · Read this chapter
- “In this body there is no room for hierarchy, no room for believers to feel as either upper- or lower-class Christians.” (ch. 11)
- “But the cross struck down Satan's principle of self.” (ch. 11)
- “There's no need for more church conferences on unity; what is needed are Christians willing to live meek, long-suffering, and forbearing lives.” (ch. 11)
Put it into practice
- Identify one relationship where 'the principle of self' has caused division and pray for grace to submit it to Christ.
- Read Ephesians 2:14-16 and reflect on a 'dividing wall' in your own community that the cross has already broken down.
- This week, practice deferring to and honoring a fellow believer whose background or gifting differs from your own.
- Discuss with your small group one practical way to embody Galatians 3:28 rather than merely affirm it.
- Comprehension
1. According to Paul's body metaphor in 1 Corinthians 12, what is unique about how the church expresses unity compared to other biblical metaphors?
- Scripture
2. Read Galatians 3:28. What distinctions does Paul say no longer divide believers in Christ?
- Doctrinal Clarity
3. How does Sequeira trace the root cause of human division back to the Fall?
- Contrast
4. Contrast a church that pursues unity through 'committee actions or promotional programs' with one shaped by the cross.
- Comprehension
5. What historical example does Sequeira use to lament the church's failure to live out unity, and why is it striking?
- Scripture
6. How does Ephesians 2:14-16 describe what Christ accomplished between hostile groups like Jews and Gentiles?
- Doctrinal Clarity
7. How does the illustration of the human body (1 Corinthians 12:14-22) explain how unity is achieved practically?
- Application
8. Personal: Where in your church community, family, or workplace do you need to let go of 'the principle of self' to walk in the unity Christ has already made possible?