Unity: What is it?

Unity, what comes to mind when you hear that word? Togetherness, working as one toward a single goal, or maybe harmony. Webster defines unity as ...

“a condition of harmony or the quality or state of being made one.”

Unity is in reality an extremely important part of a believer's life. Not only do we need unity in our homes, at work, but also unity is extremely important between fellow Christians. Nothing promotes happiness like being in unity with those in the faith around us. Likewise, nothing promotes disunity like being in conflict with one another.

Take a moment and look at what God thinks about unity between believers.

 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is. For brothers to dwell together in unity!”(Ps. 133:1)

“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 15:5-6)

“walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:1-3)

If there is one thing that is certain, God desires deeply that we all maintain a spirit of unity among each other. Our Lord knows all too well the pressures we as His children will face from the outside world. In addition to those pressures, life itself encourages disunity. All one has to do is turn on the news, watch any TV, see a movie, or even just walk through the local Wal-Mart and disunity rears its head convincingly.

So what are we, as Christians, supposed to do to see after, follow with, and encourage unity among ourselves. We could rack our brains looking for this answer, but fortunately God has already answered this question for us…

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” (Col. 3:14)

There it is. To have a God-given unity among believers, we all must focus on love. Specifically, the love of God. When we desire for our ENTIRE lives

to be consumed, surrounded by, and immersed with God’s love, that same love promotes peace. A peace that Paul tells us, “surpasses all understanding.” When we unite under the banner of godly love, there is NOTHING in this world that can stand against us. God desires unity among His children. That means that for it to happen, we must take our eyes on the differences and put them on what we have in common. You ask, “what do we have in common?” Let me give you just one...worshipping God and fulfilling His commands in this life.

Guess what?  When the church does this, great things happen. Don’t believe me … then I want you to look at Acts 2:41-47. This was a body of believers who had this unity we speak of.  And if you don’t think there will be any lasting impact, look at the end of v. 47 for yourselves. Now that is the type of unity I want, HOW ABOUT YOU?