If a football team is unified, it does not mean that everyone is playing the same position. It does , however, mean that everybody is going to the same goal line.
If an orchestra is harmonious, it’s not because they are all playing the same instrument; it’s because they are all playing the same song.
If a choir is singing in great harmony, it’s not because they are singing the same parts; it’s because they’re adding their part to the same song.
It is the goal that produces the unity. Unity is not sameness. Unity has to do with same purpose.
Unity is a powerful force that can be used for evil and for good. Unfortunately, we see the destructive power of unity in street gangs, terrorist organizations, racist coalitions, and criminal groups.
We also see the negative side of unity in Genesis 11. Verses 1-6 say:
“Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake [them] thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top [is] in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the LORD said, “Indeed the people [are] one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.
We must commit to unity for positive purposes. Then, and only then, will we be able to lead and light the way for others to see who Jesus Christ is and God’s plan for the world.
We can harness the positive power of unity if…
- We can discern and embrace the unity and diversity within the body of Christ…
- We can tolerate the natural friction that comes from walking with and working along side another person for an extended period of time…
- We together can tear down the walls that divide us and build…
- We can together oppose the common enemy to our souls and destiny and see that people are not the enemy…
- We can turn our backs to our pride and independence…
- We can tear down the idols of race, color, gender, denomination…
- We can resist the temptation to compare and compete with one another…
- We do not try to stand alone when going through the tough realities of life…
Then, with the keys of unity, we can unlock heaven’s power and lead the way to Jesus.
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; “that they all may be one, as You, Father, [are] in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. – Jesus in John 17:20-21