The Unity Distinctive

John 17: 23 "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me."

Just to hit this point one more time:

1. Those who are promoting unity over doctrine are often using this as an excuse for not being intimately involved with the Scriptures.

2. Those who are promoting doctrine over unity are often using this as an excuse for not being intimately involved with the Savior.

Here's my thought: A love of the Savior will bring about a love of the Scripture which will bring about clear(er) doctrinal understanding and a greater (not less) desire for unity in the church which (according to Christ) will bring about a greater awareness of the world for God's love for them and that He sent Christ as His expression of this love.

I know that may sound convoluted, but it makes sense to me when I think about this progression. For now, I'll call it the Unity Distinctive - as Christ states that the unity among believers is what will reveal this love to the world.