Unity = God’s Blessing
In a few days, it will be election day. I’ve come to dread the whole process. No longer is it an exciting time where we, as Americans, can cast our votes, safely voice our opinions, and unite no matter who wins. Apart from a miracle, which is our hope, we brace for the divisiveness and ugly rhetoric that will spew from both sides, the name calling, the judgment casting, and the dissension that seems inevitable to descend as darkness on us all.
I’m also struggling with a personal relationship that, on the surface, demands I take sides. I love this friend deeply, yet differences continue to arise and left to my sinful ways, I might decide it’s not worth working through the conflict. It might be easier to walk away. However, walking away would not be loving well. When we stay and live together in unity, despite our differences, we convey our love of Jesus to a watching world. And a treasured friend.
In both scenarios, Jesus bids me stay. “Continue the work of unity,” I hear Him whisper. “It is my way, and it will be worth it. There is blessing in unity.”
In Psalm 133: 1-3 David writes, “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! For unity is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Unity is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.”
According to Matthew Henry’s commentary, the oil used for anointing was holy and “made up by a divine dispensatory; God appointed the ingredients and the quantities.” Therefore, David reminds us that unity is holy; it is something God has appointed, and unity among His people is precious to Him.
Now unity, mind you, does not require all parties to agree on issues or to even concede that the others’ opinions might be right. In some instances, we may conclude the other party has lost all common sense and is off their rocker. That’s okay. We can still find common ground, especially as believers, because we are united in Christ. The blessing is when we focus on what unites us. We must unite, not because of our similarities or differences, but because of what God has done.
As Jonathan Robbins, lead pastor at The Summit Church in Oak Ridge, NC, recently preached, “We cannot separate our relationship with others and our relationship with God. We express our love for God by the way we love others.” Robbins also reminds us in Micah 6:8 that two of the things God requires of us pertain to our relationship with each other, while only one pertains to our relationship with God. *
Often, our differences loudly shout, while our similarities softly whisper. My prayer is that I (and we) will seek to drown out the shouting and focus on the Still Small Voice, whispering the blessing of unity to all who will hear.
*He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).