Unity is not about being the same. It never has been, and it was never meant to be. The body of Christ was designed with glorious variety — not to divide us, but to complete us. Think about it: the same Spirit who gives the gift of preaching also gives the gift of serving, of encouraging, of showing mercy. Why? Because God doesn’t need clones. He needs a Church — a living, breathing body made up of many different parts, each playing a vital role.
1 Corinthians 12:4 makes this clear: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” That verse doesn’t whisper, it declares. It tells us that our differences are not accidents. They are divine assignments. We were never meant to look the same, speak the same, or serve the same way. But we are meant to move in the same direction — united by love, fuelled by purpose, led by the Spirit.
And yet, how often do we fall into the trap of uniformity? We begin to believe that there’s only one right way to serve God, one right style to worship, one kind of personality that fits the mould. But that’s not God’s vision. Remember the Tower of Babel? Everyone spoke the same language and had the same goal — but it was rooted in pride, not in God. It was human-driven, a man-made monument to sameness, and God Himself scattered it.
Contrast that with the early Church in Acts 2. So many backgrounds, so many stories, and yet — one heart, one soul, one shared table. They weren’t identical, but they were united. That’s what unity really is. It’s not the absence of difference; it’s the presence of love and shared direction, despite our differences.
Sometimes people try to press others into a mould. Maybe it’s pride — the idea that “my way is the right way.” Maybe it’s insecurity — a fear of being wrong or out of place. Or maybe it’s just habit — we cling to predictability, and difference feels threatening. But that’s not the Spirit’s way. God never called us to copy each other. He called us to follow Christ. And in following Christ, we discover something beautiful: the Church is strongest when every part functions as it was designed.
Look at the gifts in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. There’s such a rich spread: teaching, leading, giving, encouraging, serving, showing mercy. Some are up front, some are behind the scenes. Some speak, others listen. Some organise, others inspire. But all of them come from the same source: the Holy Spirit. And none is greater than another. None is to be dismissed or envied. Every gift matters because every person matters.
Even Jesus prayed for this kind of unity. In John 17, He didn’t ask the Father to make us the same — He asked that we would be one, just as He and the Father are one. That’s unity. That’s what pleases the heart of God. It’s what Psalm 133 calls “good and pleasant.” It’s what Colossians 3 says is bound together by love — not rules, not roles, not routines, but love.
So here’s the question: what has God given you? What gift has He planted in your life that isn’t just for you, but for the whole body? Maybe it’s a voice that brings comfort. Maybe it’s a mind that sees solutions. Maybe it’s hands that serve tirelessly. Whatever it is, use it. And look around — who do you know that carries a different gift? Someone who doesn’t do things like you, but still glorifies God? Encourage them. Cheer them on. Don’t compete, complete each other.
This week, find a way to link arms with someone different from you. Build unity. Start with prayer, continue with action. Let love lead.
Lord, thank you for making me unique. Help me to value the gifts You’ve given me and the gifts You’ve given others. Teach me to walk in unity — not by trying to be the same, but by loving and working together. Amen.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk