How can we apply the unity in Ezekiel 37:22 to our church today? The Promise of Unity: Ezekiel 37:22 “I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king over all of them, and they will no longer be two nations and will never again be divided into two kingdoms.” Seeing the Prophecy Fulfilled in Christ • Jesus, the promised “one king,” unites all believers, Jew and Gentile, into one people (John 10:16; Ephesians 2:14–16). • Our unity is not merely symbolic; it’s rooted in the literal reign of Christ, who “is head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18). • The cross dissolved every man-made wall of hostility, fulfilling Ezekiel’s vision and setting the pattern for local congregations. What Unity Looks Like in Our Local Church • One confession: “There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). • One purpose: glorifying God and making disciples (Matthew 28:19–20). • One family: valuing every member, whatever their background (1 Corinthians 12:12–27). • One hope: eagerly awaiting Christ’s literal return and kingdom (Titus 2:13). Practical Steps Toward Living as One Body 1. Prioritize Scripture – Regular, shared study keeps us tethered to the same truth (Acts 17:11). 2. Cultivate Christlike humility – “In humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). 3. Practice hospitality – Open tables and open homes break down social barriers (Romans 12:13). 4. Serve side by side – Ministry teams foster relationships that transcend personal preference (Galatians 5:13). 5. Resolve conflict biblically – Follow Matthew 18:15–17 quickly, graciously, and confidentially. Guarding Against Division • Beware of faction-building language (“us vs. them,” “my ministry,” “their group”). • Reject gossip; speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:29). • Discern doctrinal error promptly, but contend without quarrelsomeness (2 Timothy 2:24–25). • Remember the Enemy seeks to “steal and kill and destroy” unity (John 10:10). Sustaining Unity Through Word and Spirit • Depend on the Holy Spirit, who baptizes us into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13). • Keep the gospel central; secondary issues stay secondary when the cross is primary (1 Corinthians 2:2). • Celebrate the Lord’s Supper often; it visually proclaims we share one covenant (1 Corinthians 10:16–17). The Witness of a Unified Church • Unity validates our message: “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). • It previews the coming kingdom when Christ reigns visibly over a truly undivided people (Revelation 7:9–10). • A harmonious congregation becomes a beacon, inviting the divided world to find peace in the King who fulfills Ezekiel 37:22. |
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