To begin, unity is not the same as unanimity. In other words, people can still be unified even when they disagree. That is the reality in every Christian church. Members typically agree on the doctrinal statement, but have lots of variation when it comes to non-doctrinal statement beliefs such as gay marriage, abortion, etc. Each of these areas has a continuum of beliefs and every church will find its attenders at different places on the spectrum. We learn through the process of accommodation (compromise) that God sometimes overlooks secondary objectives for the purpose of achieving the primary purpose that everyone will come to worship him alone.

The best example is Jesus himself. In Mark 12:13-17, he was tested by having to choose whether to pay taxes to Caesar. Now the Roman government was financing and supporting many things that we would disagree with today. And yet, Jesus said to pay to Caesar what is due to Caesar... all for the sake of the gospel.

The question remains today... what should we be united around? We are definitely united in the Spirit because of the work of Christ on the cross (Ephesians 2:14-22). But unity goes much deeper than that and we are commanded to maintain this unity secured by Christ (Ephesians 4:3). Unified around what? The New Commandment (John 13:34-35) and the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20).

Unity is not a vague concept wherein we look the other way and just affirm whatever. Everyone should hold their convictions based on biblical teaching, but be willing to overlook disagreements and put each other first to demonstrate unity (Philippians 2:1-4).