Unity

The longer I have been in the church the more I realize the importance of unity. Christ prayed for it (John 17:21ff). Paul commanded it (1 Cor. 1:10). When we realize God’s greatness, we are reminded that it has much to do with the perfect unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. John said, “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one” (1 John 5:7).

There is more than one way to be together. Unity and union are not the same thing. Tie two cats together by their tails and throw them over a clothesline. There will probably not be much agreement or peace right away. Some marriages are this way, and sometimes union, not unity, better describes a local congregation of God’s people.

Some congregations are frozen together. They are together, but it is a cold, rigid togetherness. There is little communication, fellowship, or activity going on. Frozen togetherness is not desirable. It leaves people stale and in the back of the proceedings, much like last summer’s catfish, caught but forgotten, too late to thaw out and needing to be removed.

Some congregations are melted together. They have withstood the heat of trial and temptations and have come out on top. Their love for one another, their involvement with each other, and their dedication to the kingdom has united them in an unbreakable bond. Heat added to that which is frozen separates. But heat added to that which has already melted finds new areas for bonding together. The key to melting together is the melting of individual hearts. When hearts are considerate and loving the greatest kind of Christian unity is possible.

How can we achieve such unity? When I come into our assembly I want so much for everyone to be on the same page, loving together, worshiping together, understanding together, and working together. It should occur to each of us that 100 pianos tuned with the same fork are automatically tuned to one another. They are not of one accord because they have been tuned to one another, but are united because of the standard of measurement by which they have been tuned. The Bible is our tuning fork. Every instrument that is willing to yield to this standard can be perfectly united with like instruments. God’s word is the last great hope of unity on the earth.

“But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” ~ 1 Corinthians 6:17