“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.”
I agree, it is so pleasant when people live in unity. It’s like a beautifully composed piece of classical music – each instrument plays a unique yet critical part, contributing to a grander vision that has the power to move entire nations of people. Harmony is truly awe inspiring – probably because we don’t see or hear much of it any more…
Divisiveness is one of the enemy’s greatest and most destructive weapons – he destroys families, nations, church bodies, and the entire world with it. The worst part is, we willingly (though often unknowingly) help him do it.
Our culture (strongly influenced by our enemy Satan) has taught us “every person for themselves” – you don’t need anyone else, they’ll get in the way of what you want. The culture is completely self-focused and selfish. This is the opposite of God’s culture.
Here’s one of my favorite passages on unity from the early church: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship… And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Ac 2:42-47 abr)
If only we could get back to those roots of unity, where we are together and have all things in common. I’m not suggesting we build a commune and have group hobbies – I’m suggesting that we seek to agree on key scriptural issues and spend regular times in fellowship. Our unity and commonality on core beliefs should far outweigh any differences of opinion on amoral issues. We should be indivisible, standing strong against the enemy’s weapon of divisiveness, rendering it powerless.
Jesus died on the cross to destroy the ultimate division – the sin-carved chasm between us and God. If He reconciled that seemingly impossible problem, then us being able to agree on small issues (such as dress code or music volume) is moot in comparison. Let’s try to shift our mindset from finding differences with people, to finding commonalities with people, and see how that changes our outlook.
Father God, Almighty Lord and Savior we bow before You in adoration. You have done the impossible – reconciling us to Yourself, bridging the chasm with Jesus on the cross. Spirit please help us to have humble hearts, seeking commonality and unity first and foremost in every relationship. Please help us to have a spirit of love and compassion, putting other’s concerns in proper alignment with our own, looking for agreements wherever possible and concessions whenever necessary. Father please humble us and put our pride to death, so that we would put the eternal needs of others ahead of our own temporal needs. Jesus, please help us to do this. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training