Unity of God: The Knowledge of, Necessary to Eternal Life
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The concept of the unity of God is foundational to Christian theology and is essential for understanding the nature of God as revealed in the Bible. This unity is not merely a numerical oneness but encompasses the harmonious and indivisible nature of God's essence and attributes. The knowledge of this unity is crucial for eternal life, as it shapes the believer's understanding of God and their relationship with Him.

Biblical Foundation

The Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:4, is a central declaration of the unity of God: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!" . This proclamation underscores the monotheistic belief that God is singular and unique, distinct from the polytheistic deities of surrounding cultures. The unity of God is further affirmed in the New Testament, where Jesus reiterates this truth in Mark 12:29, emphasizing its importance in the greatest commandment.

Theological Implications

The unity of God implies that His attributes are perfectly integrated and consistent. God's love, justice, mercy, and holiness are not separate parts but are unified in His being. This unity assures believers that God's actions and promises are reliable and trustworthy. James 1:17 states, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" , highlighting God's unchanging and unified nature.

Necessity for Eternal Life

The knowledge of God's unity is not merely intellectual but is transformative, leading to eternal life. In John 17:3, Jesus prays, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent" . This verse links eternal life with the knowledge of God, emphasizing that understanding His unity is integral to a saving relationship with Him.

Practical Application

Believers are called to reflect the unity of God in their lives and communities. Ephesians 4:3-6 urges Christians to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" . This passage encourages believers to live in unity, mirroring the oneness of God.

Conclusion

The unity of God is a profound truth that shapes the Christian faith. It is essential for understanding God's nature and is necessary for eternal life. Through the knowledge of God's unity, believers are called to live in harmony with one another, reflecting the divine unity in their relationships and communities.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether the Articles of Faith are Appropriately Enumerated
... On the third point: in respect of the unity of their essence ... the Son is in a manner
included in knowledge of the ... For God would not be Father unless he had a Son ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article eight whether the articles.htm

Unity of Apostolic Teaching.
... Every true advance in Christian knowledge and life is ... Christ, who declared the whole
counsel of God and the ... Herein consists the unity and harmony of the twenty ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 67 unity of apostolic.htm

The Unity of the Divine Essence, and the Trinity of Persons.
... ignorance is much better than rash and presumptuous knowledge. ... Son, and Holy Ghost,
in that holy unity of essence. ... believes is the true and living God, whom to ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xii the unity of.htm

Whether the Articles of Faith are Suitably Formulated?
... all of which are contained in the one article of the unity of God. ... Now in beings
having an intellect, power does not work save by the will and knowledge. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the articles of faith 2.htm

Whether in the Soul of Christ There was any Habitual Grace?
... were to attain so closely to God by knowledge and love ... to Objection 1: Christ is
the true God in Divine ... Yet because together with unity of person there remains ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the soul of.htm

Whether Christ had the Knowledge which the Blessed or ...
... hence it was necessary that the beatific knowledge, which consists in the vision
of God, should belong ... essence or nature; yet with the unity of Person ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ had the knowledge.htm

Jacob Boehme's "Way of Salvation"
... it and enter again into the original Nothing,"the eternal Unity in which ... a word,
that his wisdom was "theosophy," a God-communicated knowledge. ...
/.../chapter xi jacob boehmes way.htm

All Mankind Guilty; Or, Every Man Knows More than He Practises.
... God." And this will rest heaviest against those whose knowledge was the ... schools,
earnestly contends that the doctrine of the unity of God is constitutional ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/all mankind guilty or every.htm

On the Trinity. Book i. When I was Seeking an Employment Adequate ...
... they also may be in Us [523] , a unity of will ... angels in heaven nor the Son, but
God only [528 ... father who knows; a nature limited in knowledge cannot partake of ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/on the trinity book i.htm

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity the Christian Calling and Unity.
... THE CHRISTIAN CALLING AND UNITY. ... In the knowledge of good works Paul desires Christians
to grow ... They are necessary for God's glory and for the Christian's own ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/seventeenth sunday after trinity the.htm

Resources
Marital Unity ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

What is the National Council of Churches? | GotQuestions.org

Is ecumenism biblical? Should a Christian be involved in the ecumenical movement (ecumenicalism)? | GotQuestions.org

Unity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Ecumenism

Unity

Unity in the Church

Unity of God: A Ground for Loving Him Supremely

Unity of God: A Ground for Obeying Him Exclusively

Unity of God: All Saints Acknowledge, in Worshipping Him

Unity of God: All should Know and Acknowledge

Unity of God: Asserted by Apostles

Unity of God: Asserted by Christ

Unity of God: Asserted by God Himself

Unity of God: Asserted by Moses

Unity of God: Consistent With the Deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit

Unity of God: Exhibited in His Being Alone Good

Unity of God: Exhibited in His Being Alone Possessed of Fore-Knowledge

Unity of God: Exhibited in His Being the Only Saviour

Unity of God: Exhibited in His Being the Only Source of Pardon

Unity of God: Exhibited in His Being the Sole Object of Worship in Heaven and Earth

Unity of God: Exhibited in His Exercise of Uncontrolled Sovereignty

Unity of God: Exhibited in His Greatness and Wonderful Works

Unity of God: Exhibited in His Unparalleled Election and Care of his People

Unity of God: Exhibited in His Works of Creation and Providence

Unity of God: May be Acknowledged Without Saving Faith

Unity of God: The Knowledge of, Necessary to Eternal Life

Unity of the Righteous

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Unity of God: May be Acknowledged Without Saving Faith
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