A Good Word - Unity
by Gary Johnson
Welcome to Labor Day weekend! Since 1894, Americans have enjoyed this holiday weekend when we celebrate the labor movement in our country by doing no labor. Most Americans have this Monday off from work (including e2)! In the late 1800s, the Industrial Revolution birthed a new era in American history and the labor movement took our nation to new heights never experienced. Hard work and long hours paid off in ways that still benefit each of our lives.
As we move into this new month, we want to LABOR with a new good word, and that word is unity. Throughout 2022, we are focusing on a key word each month that brings us encouragement and hope. If there were ever a time for us to LABOR at a much-needed virtue, it is now as we are far from being united.
With a quick glance, we can see evidence all around us of a broken, divided culture and even country. From the White House to State Houses, to town halls, political division grows deeper with every day. From the workplace to the places we live, conflicts loom large. In the first century, Paul planted a church in the city of Corinth, and a great deal of “Corinth” got into the church. The same has happened in the 21st century. We have a Church in America, but a great deal of the American culture has gotten into the Church and we witness division among us, the very place where we should provide a witness of unity to our divided nation.
So then, what do we do? How should we respond? We need to LABOR at unity, after all, Paul wrote of this very thing in Ephesians 4:3, “Make every effort to maintain unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Paul did call for organizational unity among believers, but for our relational unity. Moreover, we are not to make a half-hearted, mediocre, run-of-the-mill effort at maintaining unity, but a whole-hearted, intentional effort.
We must LABOR at restoring and maintaining relational unity among us. From His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provides us with five specific ways we can L.A.B.O.R. for unity.
L for LOVE
Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies…”
Think of those with whom we are at odds - at work, at church, in the neighborhood, even at home. Do we think of them as enemies? If we do, Jesus commands us to love them. And remember, Paul said that “our enemies are not flesh and blood, but spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12).
Surveys reveal that Republicans and Democrats no longer view one another as mere political opponents, but as literal enemies! Heated and hateful rhetoric can be heard between people of two opposing political views, between those of differing worldviews and more. Regretfully, the same can be said for life in the Church among Christians. Shouting, name-calling, venomous comments said aloud or online reveal disunity the likes of which we have not known in our lifetime.
In Mark 10, Jesus encountered the rich, young ruler. Being omniscient, Jesus already knew that the young man would walk away from Him, rejecting Him. Yet, the text reads, “Jesus looked at him and loved him” (v. 21). As Christ-followers, we must do the same. When looking at people who oppose us, we need to love them in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Labor at love if we hope to experience God-honoring unity.
A for Anger-Free
Matthew 5:22 Jesus preached that “anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.”
Anger resides deep within our interior world (i.e., heart, mind, and soul). When we allow anger to remain, it grows – like a cancer. Even Paul admonished us to “not let the sun go down while we are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26). In other words, do not remain angry. Get over it! When we continue to be angry with other believers who oppose us, we will say things we will later regret for Jesus said that “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Refuse to keep score. Let it go. Labor at being anger-free, for in doing so, we will know true unity.
B for Beseech
Matthew 5:44 “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
We seldom hear or use the word “beseech,” yet it means to have an earnest, an urgent request, to literally beg. How often do we hear ourselves literally begging God in prayer on behalf of believers with whom we are at odds? It is difficult to have enemies when we are praying deeply—and often—for them. Labor in prayer for people who oppose us, for in doing so, we have every greater likelihood of experiencing unity with other Christians.
O for Opportunities
Matthew 5:39-42 “Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone wants to sue you to take your tunic, give to him your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
In the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus went around doing good (Acts 10:38). And we can do the same. In the power of the Spirit, we can look for opportunities to do good for others, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:10). Imagine the impact we will have on believers who oppose us if we LABOR at making the most of every opportunity to help them! Unity will become a reality.
R for Reconcile
Matthew 5:23-24 “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to your brother…”
We are called to be peacemakers, not peacekeepers (Matthew 5:9). Make the first move to make peace, to reconcile, with other believers with whom we are at odds. Walk across the room. Send the text or email. Make the necessary call. After all, Jesus said that a “house divided against itself cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). We want the Church to stand – and unity is essential among us. Relational unity is not optional.
Our team is often on the road working with our partner churches. A couple of weeks ago, I was deeply impacted by an elder when he described the continuing conflict in their church over worship styles between the generations. In leading necessary change in their congregation, this aging elder spoke with great wisdom and power when he said of the next generation, “I hate their music, but I love them more.” This giant of an elder is creating a culture of unity in their congregation because he chooses to LABOR at unity.
You and I can – and must – do the same.
