The Importance of Unity

We all have our opinions, and we are sure that we are right. And right beside our opinion is our pride.

If I hold to a particular point of view and you don’t go along with me, then my pride is at stake. It is natural for me to want to be proved right, to have my opinion validated. So I want you to agree with me. If you do agree with me, I like it. But the fact that I weant you to agree with my opinion doesn’t make it right.

That’s why the unity of the Spirit us a remarkable achievement. The unity of the Spirit is not natural, but it is supernatural; therefore, it cannot be explained naturally. What do I mean by that?

When we come across a person who is ambitious to achieve, we can understand this too, because this is natural. But unity of the Spirit is supernatural. It means that our natural ways, where we want to be heard and make our opinion felt, are not important, and we are willing to step down.

There are three observations that I suggest are important.

First, blessing us given where there is unity: “for there the Lord bestows his blessing” (Ps. 133:3)

Second, unity is what Satan fears most. He will come alongside like and angel of light to make you think something is of the Lord when it is not. The Devil will remind you of every wrong in others people.

Third, unity of the Spirit is not an optional matter. Some of us have lost credibility with others because we have to have our way all the time, and people feel they are walking on eggshells because we are so difficult and so abrasive. What we need to so is to come to the place where the Holy Spirit us ungrieved, and we are willing to feel messy and not look so good; then the anointing will flow.

Excerpted from Higher Ground (Christian Focus Publications Ltd. 1995)

My response:

Lord, I thank you for speaking to me about unity. Often of late have I become aware of Satan's desire to that we should be, even more divided than already are, forgive us. Everyone has an opinion and has a right to it; I want everyone to agree with me. Forgive my pride and the desire to be validated. I know, I am not always right on about everything, ("really? Smile.)

I thank you for those places where you have blessed us achieve unity, may it be continued and encouraged. Help me to be your instrument of peace and unity. No, it isn't natural, but it can be accomplished by your Spirit.

I confess my ambition and my desire to achieve. Forgive me my envy. Help me to rejoice and honor my brothers and sisters, as if their success were my own. Allow me the grace to step down or aside for your purpose and glory; and yes rejoice in it.

I thank you, for your blessing in and upon unity. I praise you, that in unity is Satan's greatest fear that one day his defeat. Finally, yes, you give me no option. If they don't or won't agree that I am right, etc., your demand of me is “. . . that I live peaceably with all men . . .” I have very little right to withhold my love or gifts.

Lord, I can't make or force them love or operate with me; help me to love deeply those who won't return a phone call or an e-mail; those who enjoy (or so I think) avoiding me. I have no idea what is going on there. May I not pretend to be loving but to be as loving as you are. Everyone is busy; it doesn't mean that they are uncaring.

Holy Spirit, how grieved are you by lack of unity? I can be responsible only for myself. Lord, help me to be willing to be loving, not only in public, but deeply in my personal and private world the as well. Unity begins with me, not with them. No matter their lack of failure, I am called to be you to them. Jesus, show me, help me, what I must become for your glory, inside and outside of your body. Amen.