Called to Unity

Psalm 133:1 says, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for bothers to dwell together in unity!" When I looked up unity in the Bible Dictionary it said that the word was used in the O.T. in a sense of togetherness of persons (Genesis 13:6); fellowship (Judges 19:6) and praise (Psalm 34:3). The word is used in the N.T. talks of unity of faith that binds together the people of God (Eph. 4:13).

We are called by God to be different from the world around us. I think this is vital as witnesses of Christ which means that unity is extremely important. We can't move forward as one for God's Kingdom if we aren't on the same page. Disunity brings strife, separation, disloyalty and more. Which is exactly what our world looks like. John 17:23 says, "I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfect in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me." Without being united we aren't much different from what society preaches. If we act like the world then we can't reflect Jesus and others won't be able to see Him through us. They wouldn't think there was a reason to believe because there isn't a point if we're all doing the same thing.

Our society is one of selfishness. It takes and rarely gives back unconditionally. Just look at Hollywood. It loves it's stars because they bring more honor, glory and money to it. But once that star falls a tiny bit they're spit out most often while being dragged through the mud. To me, that doesn't reflect love. How can we be different? Stick together in love and share that love. Paul says in Colossians 3:14, "Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity."

I pray that "the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus." (Romans 15:5).

Krista Jones
2.8.08