Soul Care - Unity
by Mary Elsbury
Unity is a heavy topic these days. It might be defined as the state of being of one spirit, goal, or purpose; a whole that is a combination of parts. Whether it be in politics where there is little togetherness shown, or in various denominations where there are many instances of name-calling, why is unity so hard to attain?
Scripture tells us in Psalm 133:1 (NIV), “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” The Living Bible uses the term “harmony,” meaning agreement or accord, the quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole. In music it is the “combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect.”
When I was in college, I had to take a music theory class. One key component was harmony – how to build individual, different pitched notes to make a pleasant sound in a structured piece of music. Without getting in too deep, there are three functional categories necessary to make that happen - tonic, predominant, and dominant. The tension between the tonic and dominant is the basis for harmony in music. Isn’t it just like God to use the combination of three to make a whole!
Our foundation for Christian unity is the result of God bringing together people of various ethnicities, backgrounds, and social classes into one body or family of faith through Christ. This melding together is powered by the Holy Spirit who gives us the shared mission of sharing the truth of the Gospel while using our individual gifts to enhance the Church. It is this diversity within the body that produces growth. We each have distinct gifts and talents, that combined with others creates a powerful witness.
While Christians can certainly agree with unbelievers and work alongside them toward worthy goals, we will never have the same unity with unbelievers that we have with those who belong to Christ. In the world there are people who are looking to their own needs, desires, and ambitions, who act selfishly and consider themselves better.
In a world that is so fragmented and divisive as ours, our unity among a diverse people stands out. When the world doesn’t agree on anything or wants to build walls to segregate groups or verbally tears down every idea floated, the Church can be a powerful alternative. Where division might normally occur, unity should lead to individuals who listen to and bear with one another.
The apostle Paul encourages us in Ephesians 4, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
We need more people to use their gifts and talents for the sake of others. Think of the glorious harmonies we can create if we work together!
