If you’ve been on this earth long you know that unity isn’t just a roses and rainbows proposition. It is hard fought for and requires great sacrifice in addition to great wisdom to know when and how to apply that sacrifice. There are issues of unity in marriage, in work places, in nations, between nations and more.
Yet one of the most beautiful things according to Scriptures is unity.
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” (Ps 133:1).
It’s not just good but in unity “the LORD has appointed the blessing–life forevermore” (Ps 133:3).
I wish we could stop there but we can’t. The truth is people in broad scopes perceive unity just as everyone getting along, everyone agreeing with one another, and ‘live and let live.’ Everybody can do their own thing.
But that isn’t true unity. The ‘live and let live’ movement has some truth to it, but it is not all truth. When what we do harms another person, then there isn’t unity. We tend to decide for ourselves what harms another person and what doesn’t. Everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. Because few people truly do what is wrong in their own eyes as we all justify our sin.
So do we know what harms others and what doesn’t? That’s where what God has said is truth and what God has said is sin is where we learn that. As the creator of humans, he knows what harms people. Sex outside of marital covenant? He knows it harms people. Sexual deviations and identity issues, these harm people. God does not let people bring harm to others or themselves without eventually saying enough.
That’s what sin is. Sin is what harms others and themselves according to God, whether it is seen or not.
So unity.
I think the Reformation movement folks had it right.
“In essentials, unity.
In opinions, liberty.
In all things, love.”
So what are the essentials and what are opinions? Again, that’s why we have the Scriptures. God determines those things. Man cannot because we will always default to our selfish ways, not caring or denying something harms us or ourselves.
Unity is not easy. Jesus died and suffered as an act of reunification of man and God. It’s why Jesus says (prior to his death), “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9).
Peace makers compromise to keep the peace. Peace keepers never change the truth but walk in paths to find reconciliation.
Yesterday I saw a news article about the folks up north in the red maple leaf country. Their leader stated that once everyone was removed, peace would be restored. Yes, a government can restore order, but that does not mean a restoration of peace. Peace is in the heart and the place of reconciliation of both parties.
Can there be disagreement? Absolutely. But the peace of disagreement still has respect, honor, and love. Without these peace probably isn’t present.
Unity. So much can be said about it. But this psalm is correct. There are few things sweeter than when there is harmony and unity among his people.
