Stronger Unity
by Gary Johnson
We are living in a day and age where conflict abounds. We witness conflict between political parties at federal, state, and local levels of government. Conflict is growing between nations with differing ideology. It is easy to see how conflicted people are at work, at home, at school, and even at church. Beyond any doubt, conflict abounds.
What if we were able to achieve – and enjoy – unity among us? What if fighting and arguing came to be a thing of the past? What if laughter replaced yelling and happiness triumphed over hatred? It is entirely possible. Unity can become a reality.
The Work of Jesus
Long before God spoke the universe and humankind into existence (Genesis 1), Jesus redeemed us by His “precious blood” (1 Peter 1:18-20). Jesus said “yes” to the mission of providing a way for sinful, fallen humanity to be restored to our most Holy God. His work was to bring unity. No wonder one of His many names is Prince of Peace. Jesus is the consummate peacemaker.
One of the most compelling descriptions of the work of Jesus is found in Philippians 2:5-11. The Apostle Paul described how Jesus – though He was equal to God – chose to become human. Jesus “made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, and being made in human likeness, Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.”
Jesus brought unity through His humility. Even though Jesus was equal to God, He intentionally humbled Himself by not only becoming human, but by humbling Himself to willingly dying for us. Think of it this way.
Not once, but repeatedly, Jesus called God His Father, such as in Luke 22:42, 23:34, 46. Even though Jesus was fully and completely God, there are 168 references in the Gospels of Jesus calling God, “Father.” Only once did Jesus call God something other than His Father, and that was while on the cross and Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”
Submission is rooted in humility. Jesus submitted to His earthly mom and dad. He walked sixty miles to be immersed, “fulfilling all righteousness” through His submission. He submitted to the will of God while praying in Gethsemane, saying, “Not my will but your will be done” (Matthew 26:36f). With ease we can see submissive humility in Jesus. Can people see the same in us?
When threatened, a puffer fish inflates into a ball-shape to protect itself against predators. Puffer fish contain a toxin that makes them foul tasting and deadly. The toxin is 1,200 times more lethal than cyanide, and with enough poison in one puffer fish to kill thirty adults! Like puffer fish, we swell up with pride, we become toxic to those around us. Our toxic pride does not result in unity, but just the opposite—disunity results. Pride produces disunity at home, at work, at school and even at church. The late Bible scholar John Stott said, “Pride is your greatest enemy, humility is your greatest friend.”
The Walk of Jesus
When Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, He stepped from heaven above to this earth below. He let go of His positional authority and “humbled Himself.” The word “humility” means to go to a lower place, and Jesus did just that! Humility is a journey into being less focused on self and more focused on others. Humility is putting others before me and their needs before mine. Humility is thinking more highly of others than I think of myself (see Phil. 2:3-4). Humility is not something done to me, but something that I do. Humility is not thinking less of myself but thinking less often of myself. It is a journey.
Having been made in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), we should do the same. Jesus preached that peacemakers are blessed (Matthew 5:9), so when we take the first steps to make peace, we look like our Savior. Like Jesus who stepped from the abode of God into the earth below, are we humbly taking the first step to walk across a room, make a phone call, send a text in hopes of making a move towards unity? Someone must make the move.
Sincere humility produces stronger unity.
