UNITY...ARE WE READY???

It's a question that’s hardly asked when talks of coming together as a collective is mentioned!
Too often people look at the desirable fruits of a unified status quo but fail to objectively consider the consequences of irresponsibility in the process. One of the dangers in doing so is a collective failure in which absolutely no one wants to take responsibility in!

Let's look at Unity according to the scriptures,

• Ps 133:1 ( A Song of degrees of David. ) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
• 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
• 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Notice in verse 2 that unity among brethren is compared to the oil that is poured to anoint not only the priest but emphasis being upon the 1st priest Aaron, placing the value of unity as the primary ingredient for bringing people unto the Creator as does the Priest that intercedes for the people, UNITY is the sole understanding of that which ultimately intercedes!

So the value of unity is definitely something that we ALL, believers and non believers alike MUST strive for.
But the question remains....how do we truly and honestly strive for unity? Let's see what the Apostle Paul (Shaul) has to say concerning this matter.

• Phil 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
• 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
• 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
• 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

The first thing we need is the Spirit (mind) of fellowship which is something we MUST find comfort in, but a lot of us are locked into our own individual comforts which keeps us separate from each other by our own ambitions, thus unity with this being said must be a mental and emotional aptitude before it can become a physical reality.

If fellowship can be experienced as a joy then those who are like minded as being interested in the same realities can achieve the same goals.

But in the 3rd verse of Phil 2, we also read the key element that corrupts the unity of fellowship which is *VAINGLORY* which is a major cause of strife on all levels! This goes back to what I stated previously, that if we experience joy in fellowship then we systematically can eradicate our individual vanities.

But let's be mature about this, if we are to get to this point then we must consider what the Apostle Peter (Shimon) wrote for our edification in what we should seek in our quest for Unity,

• 1Pet 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
• 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
• 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
• 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

If we desire to not have certain *dramas* in our life, if we are to love life (enjoying our families, friends and the fruits of our labors) then we must learn to courageously walk away from our vain desires of rendering evil for evil and maliciously speaking against each other when our personal comforts are disturbed (even if we do experience disrespect), because we desire good days of peace our duty in our obedience to the Creator, to be a blessing as the oil that anoints the priest, then let us 1st strive to be of one mind with each other no matter how difficult the fight!


Peace!!!