Walk in unity, walk together 

"Walking together" has become a popular phrase in church circles, often symbolising a desire for unity amid differences. While the idea has merit, it raises crucial questions: walking together despite what differences? Walking in what direction? Walking how? Unity is not just about staying together; it must be rooted in a shared purpose and direction, grounded in God’s Word and His ways.

Scripture offers much insight into what it means to "walk." Though the phrase "walking together" isn’t directly biblical, Amos 3:3 asks a pointed question: “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to meet?” Agreement is essential for true fellowship. Walking with God is not casual or undefined; it is deliberate, purposeful, and deeply rooted in obedience to Him.

The Bible uses the imagery of walking to describe the life of faith. Enoch walked with God. Noah walked blamelessly in his generation. Abraham and Isaac walked before God. The pattern is clear: walking with God requires faithfulness, righteousness, and a heart set on Him. In Deuteronomy, God repeatedly calls His people to walk in His ways, obey His commands, and reject the paths of the nations around them. To walk with God is to align ourselves with His holiness and truth.

This call is not just an Old Testament theme. Jesus, as "the Way," redefines walking with God through discipleship. Following Him means taking up our cross and leaving behind the comforts of the world. Paul speaks of walking by the Spirit, not gratifying the desires of the flesh. Walking in love, light, and wisdom becomes the hallmark of a life transformed by Christ.

The world often confuses unity with compromise; this can creep into Church thinking. Unity isn’t about ignoring differences or diluting truth to keep the peace. Paul warns against being unequally yoked with unbelievers, asking, “What fellowship has light with darkness?” Unity must be grounded in shared faithfulness to Christ. When the church prioritises broad acceptance over biblical truth, it loses its direction. Jesus himself said the way to life is narrow, not wide.

Walking together is only meaningful if we are walking with Jesus. Fellowship flows naturally from walking in the light, as John writes: “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.” Unity is the byproduct of a shared pursuit of holiness, not the other way around.

Yet walking with Jesus also demands humility and love. The call of Micah—“to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God”—is not optional. These qualities shape how we walk with others, even amid disagreement. But love does not mean abandoning truth. It means holding fast to Christ while extending grace to others.

The church must not mistake walking together for the sake of unity as the ultimate goal. Scripture makes it clear: walking faithfully with God is our priority. If others turn from the gospel or the authority of Scripture, our allegiance remains with Christ. Unity that ignores God’s truth is no unity at all.

So we walk—not aimlessly, not led by the winds of cultural change, but purposefully, with Jesus at the center. We walk humbly, lovingly, and obediently, staying close to the Light of the World. Unity is precious, but faithfulness to God’s Word is essential. True fellowship comes from walking with Him first.