Unity… Easier Said Than Done
When I read this verse and think of the word unity, initially I have to fight off visions of a bunch of smiley people holding hands with closed eyes, singing kumbayah. And honestly, all these rosy cheeked people holding hands…dancing around a campfire, I might add…look a lot alike to me. But when I get out of my “yea, yea…read this before” mode and really consider what Paul is saying here…I see that unity, spiritual unity, is very different…requiring purposeful effort and resulting in rich harmony, not just one boring note.
First of all, it is clear that unity is not something that comes very easily…“Make every effort”. I don’t think it’s a physical or intellectual effort Paul’s talking about; but a diligent spiritual effort, borne out of the Holy Spirit – grace, humility, forgiveness. We don’t have the ability to grunt our way, to rationalize our way, or to smooth-talk our way into unity. Naturally we can’t and we won’t “keep the unity of the Spirit”… it requires the power of the Holy Spirit. And that is what we have to make every effort to do – keeping our eyes on Christ, not ourselves. Christ’s love, informed by the Holy Spirit, will bring about spiritual unity that is characterized by peace.
Secondly, what is also implied here is that because it takes effort to find and maintain unity, differences must exist. So unity doesn’t mean uniformity…with a bunch of boring, homogonous robots walking around agreeing with each other; but rather a diverse group of people, having different thoughts and perspectives…gifts, roles, and experiences. These different parts of one body come together through Christ’s love and the power of the Holy Spirit – demonstrating that we recognize that there is something bigger than ourselves. Very rich indeed.
I’m thankful that God is changing my perspective on what unity is and what’s required to get there. I’m glad you’re right there with me. What are your thoughts?
To me, unity simply means keeping our eyes on Jesus and seeking to see Him in each Christian. Sometimes (a lot of times), something has to change in me before I can see Jesus in someone else. Following the same Master and using what He has given to each of us as He directs – that’s keeping the main thing the main thing.
Thanks for thought-provoking words today.