Unity Defined
This word echoes in my heart, especially lately where so many people seem at odds with one another. The chaos in the world paints the opposite picture with wars, violence, anti-this, and anti-that, along with political unrest all over the earth. People unite under a cause, convinced they are right and everyone else is wrong. That defines unity as conformity to a group with like-minded beliefs, not unity as Jesus prayed in John 17.
In this world, when good appears it’s often overlooked or redefined by those who are unified over dogmas, doctrine, or drama. The challenge comes in defining good. As we find ourselves among people who call good evil and evil good, Isaiah warns, ‘Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!’ (Isaiah 5:20)
Solomon said nothing is new under the sun and the same is true about good and evil (Ecc. 1:9). In Jesus’ day, the religious leaders of the day should have recognized the coming Messiah the scrolls talked about. Yet, instead, they saw Jesus through an evil lens. Their words condemned the very works and miracles that Jesus did. They claimed He cast out demons by satan himself. How can the evil one cast out evil? The religious leaders of Jerusalem should have heralded Him, yet they believed him to be evil. They yelled crucify Him. And they did.
What does it look like to be in unity with others? The Psalmist writes, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1)! The word dwell means to abide and live close in the same area. Our minds go to our families. Do I need to say more? Yet, if we would practice unity among our families, we will be better at it with others.
Jesus tells His followers, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another” (John 13:35). Couple that with the new commandment He gave, Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Jesus’ directives to His disciples came before the cross. Their example spread over three and a half years of spending time with Jesus and watching His behavior toward others.
We can be in the same room with others, but be out of sync because our thoughts or beliefs differ in such a way to cause controversy at the least and division at the worst. We only have to look at the Last Supper. The disciples enjoyed a meal with Jesus, still not fully aware it was His last. Yet, in the heart of one of the disciples, satan entered with a very different mindset. This disunity brought about the arrest of Jesus. Judas leaves and betrays the very one he has been following.
Jesus continues. He washed the disciples' feet demonstrating his kingdom’s culture, Servanthood. He told them He was leaving His peace with them. They would need it in the days to come. He plainly tells them He is going away, but He is sending another, The Comforter. They would surely need Him. He prays for them to be kept from the evil one and to be one with Him as He is one with His Father. Once disunity left the room, now Jesus could pray to the Father for the very thing He desired most, to be one with His disciples and for them to be one with the Father as He as already one with Him.
Let us examine our hearts when we are with others. Are our thoughts towards them thoughts of love and concern? Are our words seasoned with salt and grace to those who hear us? Do our actions display the fruit we so aptly see in Jesus’ walk? Are we lending the comfort of the Holy Spirit as He comforts us?
We can all do our part to bring unity among the people we are around. It starts with us being one with Jesus and one with the Father. Ask Him today to help you walk this way. He is willing. I pray we are too!
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Until next time, remember, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.
Dr. Michele
June 22, 202
