Mark 3:25 NIV. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
The definition of Unity is simply defined as the “state of being joined as a whole. Oneness of mind, feeling, or purpose.
From a Scriptural perspective it means a deep, spiritual oneness and harmony among believers in Christ. According to Ephesians, it’s about uniting diverse people in faith, purpose, being one in mind and spirit, bound by God’s Spirit, and requires humility, love, and active effort.
This verse quoted from the Gospel of Mark has been a wisdom known to man throughout history. Even Abraham Lincoln used this same scripture in a famous speech of the same name, in 1858.
This Spiritual wisdom basically tells us that life is a Team Sport. We need each other. It is when we come together in harmony that great things happen. Working together in harmony in this life creates an incredible Spiritual strength. When we are at odds with each other we are weakened especially when we come to a crossroads with our family, friends, or those we love and care for.
God created us with different charisms, strengths, and perspectives. When we treat each other with dignity and respect we can come together with those different ideas for the good of all, and all win. Sometimes we need to slow down the momentum in our need to be heard with our ideas so we don’t go down the wrong path and use our ideas in a prideful or harmful manner.
When there appears to be a friction or road block in our relationship than we should immediately be mindful of Satan’s desire to create division. Doubt and division are two tools he is quick to attack us with because he knows being united especially with Jesus is too much for him to handle.
When something is said or done that is very hurtful we often pull back and go into our own corners withdrawing from the engagement. After that occurrence we are not sure we want to go back into the ring with the other person. The engagement may be over. We lick our wounds and ponder what to do. We certainly don’t want to be hurt further. Satan will fuel the fire by listing all the reasons why not to re-engage.
A sort of internal tug-of-war begins. You know the good angel on one shoulder and the bad angel on the other. We often don’t consider the war is about loving versus not loving. We need to always choose love!
Reconciliation can be very challenging but the effort is always worth it. I learned a method years ago. The method works like this. With sincere and heartfelt feelings you talk with the other person about what was said or done. In the conversation you make the issue what was said or done and not the person. The issue is not the person; it is the behavior. You tell them how those words or actions made you feel and let the feeling hang for a short period of time. Then you tell them how the relationship with them is valued, and how you believe the relationship is of value to them as well. You put the relationship with them back on a positive track by emphasizing that they are important to you.
With Reconciliation comes forgiveness. The two go hand in hand and are extremely important in the Team Building of Life. Admittedly there will be some people who reject this approach but what is important is our own Team Spirit and communicating the love that God has poured into our soul to share with others. Satan will do all he can to pull us away from reconciliation but more often, Love is infectious and Love does not fail. Someone has to step forward and initiate the communication of that Love. God is looking for each of us to have the courage to take the baton from Him and to pass it on and not be the road block.
God calls us to be united in the Body of Christ. Jesus is our ultimate role model by demonstrating love, mercy and forgiveness and calling us to make that our priority and focus now and forever. Our role in the patchwork and healing process requires us to be in union with God, and that unity is Glorious! When we do that, God pours all the more grace and love into our heart and soul. That glorious feeling of unity with God just makes us want to shout with incredible love and exhilaration, “GO TEAM!” Oh how glorious it is to Shine Like the Son. God bless you!
