Unity within the body of Christ is crucial, yet often challenged by selfishness, pride, and jealousy, playing into Satan’s desire for disunity. In contrast, God desires His people to love one another as He loves.
Psalm 133:1 says:
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1
The church, as a model of the power of unity, should prioritize putting others first and working together for the gospel, setting aside differences for the greater cause.
Though achieving unity may be challenging, as seen in the historical struggles of the first-century Jews and Gentiles, setting aside the past with love and cooperation fosters unity for the cause of Christ. Collaboration, love, and humility are essential in order to display the power of unity, in contrast to disunity fueled by jealousy, gossip, and selfishness. Jesus exemplified unity by welcoming and loving those different from Him, showing a model of inclusivity in His church that glorifies God.
Biblical unity goes beyond superficial agreements. It includes a shared belief in Christ across all nations and tribes. It also avoids condoning sin for the sake of false unity. Pride is often at the core of many disputes. It’s made worse by social media, highlighting the importance of surrendering conflicts to God and letting go. Unity reflects God’s essence of love and peace, condemning hatred towards others as living in darkness.
Agreeing to disagree, as demonstrated by Paul and Barnabas, can lead to maintaining unity despite differences. This puts on a spotlight on our shared mission of spreading the gospel. After they separated because of a disagreement, Paul mentions Barnabas with respect in his later letters.
Prayer serves as a powerful remedy for disunity, demonstrated by Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John, who prayed for their enemies. Ultimately, embracing unity within the body of Christ not only aligns with God’s desire but also furthers His work on Earth. This strongly counters Satan’s aim for division.
Father: I praise You for being a God of love, peace and harmony. Too often, I lack those attributes in my life. I ask that You will give me a desire for unity with Christians around me. Help me to be humble. Grant me wisdom when I am facing a disagreement. Most of all, teach me to love as You love. It’s in Jesus name that I pray. Amen.
Listen now to the short version of this Abide meditation, “The Power of Unity,” based on Psalm 133:1. Let God speak to your heart about what it says to the world when Christians demonstrate unity.
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