Although this blog is titled “Brian Beasley Music,” many of you may have wondered where the “music” part has been hiding! I’m happy to release my first song in a while, called “One Soul” and share it with all of you. A link to the song is at the bottom of this post – I hope you enjoy it.
“One Soul” came out of a desire for and concern about unity in our church as we said goodbye to a pastor who had served faithfully for over thirty years and transitioned to a new pastor who would seek to carry on God’s purposes in faithfulness to what God had done and what new things God might have in store. But any kind of change is difficult, and many prayers were made for the church to remain unified as we navigated these somewhat unsettled waters. This song represents my prayer for our church and the worldwide church to be a unified church because this unity is what gives the church power to accomplish the mission that Christ has given to us. The book of Acts makes it clear that the early church had a remarkable unity, saying that “the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. ” (Acts 4:32)
As you listen to the song, here are four points about church unity that God placed on my heart as I was writing:
- The Source of Unity: Unity in the church is impossible without the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because unity requires humility and the willingness to compromise and share, it goes against our sinful nature. Paul tells us to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit.” (Eph. 4:3) We will never be unified as believers without eagerly striving for it and submitting to the Holy Spirit.
- The Focus of Unity: Of course, our unity is only a good thing if it is focused on the right goal. A band of criminals could be unified in their plans to rob a bank, but that’s not the unity we want! Paul urged the church leaders to equip the saints “for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.” (Eph. 4:12-13) The focus of our unity must be on the truth of the knowledge of Jesus Christ and faith in Him.
- The Purpose of Unity: Our unity enables us to be effective in the mission of the church. Paul prays that we would “live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 15:5-6). Pastor Robert was taking us through a series on the purposes of the church while I was working on this song and in the song verses you can see (hear?) all six: worship, prayer, discipleship, fellowship, mission, and evangelism. We will be most effective at accomplishing those purposes when we are unified.
- The Impact of Unity: In a deeply divided world and culture, the supernatural unity of the church will stand out! On His way to the cross, Jesus prayed that God would unify all of those throughout history that would believe in Him, “so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21) A church unified is a light shining in the darkness and ultimately brings glory to God.
May the Spirit lead our people to be “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord,” (Phil. 2:2) for nothing can stop the church of one soul!
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